Government consider burning heavy fuel oil to alleviate load-shedding
South Africa’s plan to alleviate blackouts by securing 2,000 megawatts of power from plants mounted on ships may include generating electricity by burning heavy fuel oil.
South Africa’s plan to alleviate blackouts by securing 2,000 megawatts of power from plants mounted on ships may include generating electricity by burning heavy fuel oil.
Eskom is struggling to meet the increased demand and is experiencing significant delays in efforts to boost generation.
Eskom’s chairman admitted that his boss – Pravin Gordhan – and the company’s new CEO are in China, which has offered support.
The rand weakened to its worst level in three years and yields on local-currency bonds rose as South Africa’s continuing energy shortage and deteriorating economic outlook intensify concern among investors.
A few days ago, Eskom told us that stage six power cuts were to last indefinitely, foreshadowing an inevitably cold winter amidst blackouts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under pressure to transfer powers to his electricity minister to prevent more intense blackouts in winter.
Eskom’s Generation Adequacy Report for medium term paints a bleak picture for the year ahead – predicting major generation capacity shortfall.
The euphoria in financial markets that accompanied Cyril Ramaphosa’s election victory in 2018 failed to account for the corruption and theft that have become the nation’s dominant post-apartheid leitmotifs.
Blackouts have reduced the potential size of South Africa’s economy by almost a fifth since they started being imposed around 2008.
Some companies have become net beneficiaries of South Africa’s rolling blackouts – utilising alternative energy products to boost revenues.