Eskom says it will implement stage 2 load shedding on Thursday, a day after Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene granted Eskom a R23 billion lifeline in his 2015\/16 budget in the National Assembly.<\/p>\n
“We regret to announce that stage 2\u00a0 load shedding will be implemented from 10:00 to 22:00 today.<\/p>\n
“Any additional changes on the already vulnerable and constrained power system could lead to a change in the stage at short notice,” the power utility said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Nene said that government may also convert its subordinated loan to the embattled electricity supplier to equity.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment could also consider other interventions such as converting its subordinated loan to equity to support Eskom\u2019s budget sheet,\u201d Treasury said in its budget review document.<\/p>\n
Nene also proposed tax measures to promote electricity efficiency, including a temporary increase in the electricity levy from 3.5 cents per kilowatt hour (c\/kWh) to 5.5c to assist in demand management.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe additional 2c\/kWh will be withdrawn when the electricity shortage is over.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second proposal was for an increase in the energy-efficiency savings incentive from 45c\/kWh to 95c\/kWh.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther measures under consideration included enhancing the accelerated depreciation for solar photovoltaic renewable energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nene said the proposals would be discussed with industry, Eskom, the National Energy Regulator of SA, and other interested parties.<\/p>\n
Last week, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown said that Medupi\u2019s unit six turbine was now running at optimum speed.<\/p>\n
This paves the way for the synchronisation of unit six, which she expected to happen \u201cwithin weeks\u201d, the minister said.<\/p>\n
Browne said government was fast-tracking regulations to enable Eskom to boost its supply by signing contracts with private-sector power producers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy April 2015 this will add 1000 megawatts (to the grid),\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Brown said the that government is also hatching a plan to claw back the R4.75 billion owed to it by municipalities.<\/p>\n