Whether he has had engagements with each province regarding plans to mitigate the impact of a total blackout should load shedding be implemented beyond stage 8; if not, why not; if so, (a) which provinces have a plan in place and (b) what is the current status of each plan?
The Ministry had conversations with the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provincial governments, the Cape Town, Buffalo City, Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality regarding their individual energy needs. In addition, the Ministry is scheduling fresh visits to each of the 9 Provincial Executive Councils, the leadership of Metropolitan Municipality and secondary Cities during June/July 2023 on the Energy Action Plan (EAP) ...
(1)Considering that he recently visited the Kusile Power Station to follow up on the progress of the specified power station after it initially reported that several units were broken down and needed to be upgraded and fixed as part of his plan to reduce load shedding, (a) what were the specified issues and (b) has the initial shortcomings and issues been addressed at the power station;
(2) What is the status of the four units that were out of order during the last visit;
(3) What is the short-term plan to keep the specified units running at an optimal capacity?
(1)- (2) & (3) On the 23rd of October 2022, a section of the Kusile Unit 1 flue gas duct (the equivalent of a chimney in a household) exiting the sulphur dioxide absorber failed on the horizontal rubber expansion joint as well as the compensator (a bend to direct flue gas up the chimney that allows for thermal expansion of the chimney) ...
(1) Whether, with reference to the use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) to supplement the electricity supply to mitigate load shedding, there has been an increase in storage capacity for diesel at the OCGT sites to cater for the increased usage; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether any emergency measures have been put in place in the event of a breakdown of an OCGT; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether the OCGTs are able to run at the required capacity for an extended period; if not, what are the alternatives; if so, (a) at what capacity are they running and (b) for what period is it anticipated that they will run?
1) As part of our contingency measures for the high utilisation of the OCGTs, additional offsite storage has been secured in Mossel Bay and in Cape Town.
(2)Eskom has experienced maintenance and engineering staff to address any failures at the OCGTs with the support of the Original Equipment Manufacturer.
(3)(a) and (b) The OCGTs can run at the anticipated load factors for an extended ...
In light of how load shedding has caused damage to municipal electrical transformers and affected the lives of citizens, what (a) remedial action has he taken to restore damage to houses and (b) viable measures has he taken to repair damaged electrical transformers?
Loadshedding in general causes damage to municipal electrical transformers and “damage to houses”. This is not necessarily the case. This has to be corrected and clarified upfront.
(a) Loadshedding in itself cannot reasonably cause damage to houses. Loadshedding itself cannot cause such damage, but there is a possibility that electrical power surges as a result of loadshedding, where voltage rises or falls above or ...
(1) What immediate steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to critical services, such as water and sanitation pump stations, hospitals and other essential services, considering the inability of Eskom to meet the electricity demands of the country, the increasing frequency of load shedding and the possibility of a nationwide grid collapse;
(2) Whether there is a plan to establish (a) separate reticulation lines, (b) dedicated transformers and (c) substations for essential service providers as currently many essential services share the same grid with surrounding residential areas, leading to some areas not experiencing load shedding for months while others face additional load shedding; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) is the specified plan feasible and (ii) how long will it take to implement;
(3) Whether there are any potential risks to the stability of the electricity grid associated with such a reengineering; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will he furnish Mr N Singh with the comprehensive details which include how he, together with the First Respondent in the Matter: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, intends to meet the 60-day court ordered directive handed down in the High Court, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, Case No: 005779/2023 on 5 May 2023?
(1) At present, Eskom is engaging with both the Department of Health and the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding their points of supply in the Eskom supply area identified as critical. Once completed and where possible, measures will be implemented to mitigate the impact of loadshedding as far as practically possible. Currently, Eskom exempts or partially exempts 25 public health establishments within its ...
Whether Eskom has an official or unofficial policy and/or practice, where in the event of illegal connections being found in a residential and/or business area, it suspends the electricity supply to the entire area, causing power outages for legitimate consumers, in some areas for up to six months while for 10 weeks currently in Umkomaas, on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal; if not, what (a) is the position in this regard and (b) steps of intervention will he take to deal with this practice; if so, what are the relevant details of the policy and its legality?
a) The failed transformer PAMS 65 that is referred to by the Honourable Mr Singh was replaced on Saturday 13 May 2023 according to the process where all customers who had tampered with their meters to avoid paying for electricity had paid the required fine and illegal connections had been removed. Important facts to note regarding this transformer are that some customers were found ...
Whether he has found that the possibility of Stage 8 of load shedding is looming closer than the possibility of the load shedding crisis being handled; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
The winter outlook indicates an increased risk of supply shortfall against expected demand, with our worst-case scenario indicating that load shedding could intensify to stage eight if our interventions are unsuccessful. Stage 6 loadshedding is the highest stage of loadshedding implemented in South Africa so far. Stage 7 or 8 load shedding has not been implemented.
The NRS048-9 Code of Practice differentiates between loadshedding ...
Whether the Republic has experienced stages 7 and 8 of load shedding since he assumed office; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full and relevant details?
As of 12:00 on 8 May 2023, Stage 6 loadshedding is the highest stage of loadshedding to be implemented in South Africa. Stage 7 or 8 load-shedding have never been implemented. The NRS048-9 Code of Practice differentiates between loadshedding and load curtailment, the latter being the instructed, partial reduction of demand from large industrial customers. On occasion, load curtailment, up to Stage 4, has ...
What total amount (a) did Eskom set aside in its budget for the current financial year to buy diesel for the open cycle gas turbines and (b) of the specified budget has been spent to date?
(a) The budget available for the Eskom Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGT) for the 2023/2024 Financial Year is R19,6 billion including IPP OCGT spend.
(b) The year-to-date spend for the 2023/2024 Financial year, as of 8 May 2023, is R3 billion.
End.
Whether, with regard to media reports that an emergency Cabinet meeting convened by the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, to consider the Minister’s plan to slow the decommissioning of old coal power stations deliberated on the possible use of privatepublic partnerships to fund investments in the coal power stations, there are any private investors who have come forward to partner with the Government to invest in the old coal power stations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Members of the Cabinet are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions. Any unauthorized or premature disclosure of Cabinet meetings or information undermines the collective responsibility of the Cabinet.
End.
