Has Eskom run out of diesel? Or money? Or both?
15 September 2023
The country is currently in an elevated schedule of load-shedding yet, according to Eskom’s system update released this morning, zero Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) have been utilised in the past 24 hours. This can only mean one thing, either Eskom has run out of diesel, or money or both.
If the diesel supply situation at Eskom has deteriorated, it is incumbent upon the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, to urgently provide a status update and the steps that are being taken to remedy the situation.
OCGTs are not meant to be run like regular power stations as they are only meant to provide supplementary power during peak periods. However, due to a generation shortfall necessitated by Eskom’s old coal fired power stations – which are constantly breaking down, OCGTs are now being run non-stop by burning diesel worth billions of rands.
If it turns out that Eskom has run out of diesel for the OCGTs, chances are that South Africa will enter a period of semi-permanent stage 6 load-shedding. This horrendous situation has become possible despite repeated false assurances from ANC Ministers and Eskom that the utility has enough cash to cover the diesel requirement until the end of the financial year in March 2024.