Question NW3170 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
22 September 2015 - NW3170
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) What is her department’s position in respect of the statement by Eskom’s spokesperson that Eskom’s financial issues were only partly responsible for the country’s rolling blackouts; (2) whether this is an indication of a greater Government culpability in respect of the blackouts; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Eskom’s financial issues are responsible for load shedding in as far as limited funding for maintenance and restrictions on diesel purchases for Open Cycle Gas Turbines are concerned.
2. In the main load shedding has been caused by maintenance deferred in the past which resulted in a backlog of maintenance and decline in plant reliability.
END