Eskom: Kusile and Medupi project should be put on ice, as we cannot afford it now

This past week, a Meridian Economics Report on Eskom highlighted some possible answers to the financial distress the power utility is currently facing. The report suggested that Eskom postpones the build programme on a number of units at the Kusile and Medupi Power Stations.

These recommendations come after Eskom presented to its major shareholder, Government, that it is expected to run at a loss of R3.5 billion by the end of March next year. Worse, Eskom only has R1.2 billion left in its cash reserves until the end of November 2017, when it should have R20 billion.

Eskom has unsurprisingly rejected these proposals citing possible exposure to contractual penalties. Eskom’s excuses are frankly weak and nonsensical given the fact that it cannot afford these projects.

With a sluggish economy, falling sales and a surplus in electricity generation, it’s safe to say that Eskom is facing financial ruin. Slamming the brakes on the Kusile and Medupi projects could go a long way in cutting much-needed costs at Eskom.

These are vital strategies that need urgent, robust debate and dialogue to prevent Eskom from crying out for a bailout next year and prevent another tariff hike.

Eskom’s application for a 20% tariff hike from NERSA is simply unsustainable. Yet another tariff hike will not sort out the financial woes at Eskom. It will just burden ordinary South Africans even more.

The DA has already submitted a request to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, Ms Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, for an urgent committee meeting with the Eskom Chairperson, CEO, CFO, COO and the Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, to explain the current financial mess and present a credible plan on a turnaround strategy for the power utility.

Currently, Eskom is being treated like a leper by investors given the lack of credible governance, deeply entrenched corruption and gross financial mismanagement. Potential financers are understandably hesitant to back Eskom.

Minister Brown is expected to announce a new Eskom board soon, and with recent testimonies at the Eskom Inquiry implicating the Minister in State Capture, it will do little to quell the unease of investors and South Africa.

South Africans deserve a power utility that has credible leadership. We need a South African-orientated Eskom, not a Gupta-orientated Eskom, to turn things around.

Statement issued by Natasha Mazzone MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, 19 November 2017