Eskom to get R23 billion injection
Stabilising Eskom’s finances is a priority and the power utility will be given R23 billion to do so, President Jacob Zuma announced on Thursday.
“The government will honour its commitment to give it around R23 billion in the next fiscal year,” he said in his state-of-the-nation address to Parliament.
He acknowledged South Africa was experiencing serious energy constraints.
“[These] are an impediment to economic growth, and are a major inconvenience to everyone in the country.”
Overcoming the problem was uppermost in government’s priorities.
“We are doing everything we can to resolve the energy challenge.”
Cabinet was working “round the clock” with Eskom to stabilise the electricity supply system and contain load shedding.
Zuma also said that Eskom would be switching from costly diesel to support the generation of power, to gas.
“Given the high cost of diesel, Eskom has been directed to switch from diesel to gas as a source of energy for the utility’s generators,” he said.
“Households are also being encouraged to switch from electricity to gas for cooking, heating and other uses.”
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