ESKOM Stage 4 Load Shedding
“We are frustrated and worried by the latest announcement from Eskom that it is forced to implement Stage 4 Load Shedding due to a generation capacity shortfall,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said. Bredell was responding to a media briefing by Eskom, announcing the latest load shedding situation, which is predicted to last for the rest of the week.
David Maynier, Provincial MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities said: “It is estimated that in 2020 load shedding cost South Africa’s economy R500 million per stage, per day and the Western Cape’s economy R75 million per stage, per day. And so we know that our businesses, especially our small businesses, are hit hard when stage 4 load-shedding is introduced by Eskom. We sympathise with this loss and we understand the frustration that this is causing businesses and residents.”
“That is precisely why we are working with municipalities and businesses across the province to invest in the growing renewable energy sector. We want a situation where all municipalities can guarantee a stable supply of electricity at competitive prices in the Western Cape. While this is not a quick-fix, our three-year Municipal Energy Resilience Project, or MER Project, is aimed at enabling municipalities to generate, procure and sell their own power over the medium term.”
The City of Cape Town also recently became the first municipality in South Africa to open a procurement process for up to 300MW of power, which is good news for residents and businesses in our province’s biggest municipality, which is responsible for over 70% of the Western Cape economy.”
“The private sector is also leading from the front, and we are delighted that ArcelorMittal South Africa plans to take advantage of the amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act and develop a 100MW renewable energy project in the Western Cape.”
“While we are doing everything we can to ensure that we beat load-shedding over the medium term, we need Eskom to do everything possible to keep the lights on right now so that we protect jobs in the Western Cape and South Africa.”
“Sudden and unexpected load shedding is extremely disruptive to all sectors of society, as nobody can plan or make contingency plans in such an unpredictable environment,” Bredell said. He added that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is in close contact with Eskom to be aware of any sudden changes in the load shedding situation.
Bredell said it is worrying that Eskom is struggling during a time when the Western Cape prepares for the colder winter months ahead. “As colder weather sets in over the next few months, we are once again asking people to stay safe when heating their homes with flammable heat sources other than electricity.”
Bredell reiterated the Western Cape Government’s commitment to work with Eskom regarding municipal outstanding debt for electricity. “We understand that Eskom cannot operate if customers do not pay for the electricity it supplies to them. In meetings with Eskom senior leadership, I have recently urged them to let us know sooner than later if municipalities are defaulting, as our Department of Local Government can step in to provide support in this regard.”
Contact:
Wouter Kriel - Spokesperson for MEC Anton Bredell
Western Cape MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Cell: 079 694 3085
Email: Wouter.kriel@westerncape.gov.za
Georgina Maree - Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Finance and Economic Opportunities
Western Cape Government
Tel: 021 483 4327
Cel: 076 423 7541
Email: Georgina.Maree@westerncape.gov.za
