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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged South Africa was experiencing serious energy constraints.<\/p>\n
“[These] are an impediment to economic growth, and are a major inconvenience to everyone in the country.”<\/p>\n
Overcoming the problem was uppermost in government’s priorities.<\/p>\n
“We are doing everything we can to resolve the energy challenge.”<\/p>\n
Cabinet was working “round the clock” with Eskom to stabilise the electricity supply system and contain load shedding.<\/p>\n
Zuma also said that Eskom would be switching from costly diesel to support the generation of power, to gas.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Households are also being encouraged to switch from electricity to gas for cooking, heating and other uses.”<\/p>\n
Can angry South Africans sue Eskom?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Get ready for electricity price hikes: DA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n