Load shedding: ‘This time around, it was necessary’ says De Ruyter [video]

Eskom Group CEO Andre De Ruyter was very positive about the future of the ailing power utility in his first load shedding media briefing as the leader of the state-owned entity (SOE).

Eskom confirmed rolling blackouts for the entire weekend

Load shedding returned yet again, on Thursday. Eskom revealed that due to shortages of emergency reserves and system constraints.

On Friday, the power utility confirmed our worst fears: stage 2 rolling blackouts will continue into the weekend.

“Unplanned outages were at 12 722MW as at 05:30 this morning (Friday 31 January). We are monitoring the system closely and we will continue to give periodic updates on the status of the power system as things may change at short notice,” the statement read.

Following the notice, Eskom management, led by De Ruyter, addressed the media at Megawatt Park in Sunninghill, Sandton, on the state of the system.

De Ruyter comments: Key things he mentioned

De Ruyter made some interesting comments about the ongoings at the power utility. The CEO revealed that the power utility’s short to mid-term objectives were to:

• achieve operational stability;
• improve the utility’s income statement;
• improve the balance sheet;
• address corruption; and
• carry out the restructuring process.

The fightback campaign against corruption

Beaming from the arrest of two Eskom employees who were recently caught with R500 000-worth of aluminium conductor cables, De Ruyter warned that the power utility has formed a solid partnership with law enforcement.

The operation to fight corruption at all levels was underway and those found to be complicit in the sabotage will be brought to book, the CEO said.

#Eskom De Ruyter says they are working with law enforcement officers in order to bring to book those who have been involved in corrupt activities. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/WxnygKRGry

— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 31, 2020

Why it is necessary for Eskom to implement load shedding

De Ruyter was apologetic about the latest call for load shedding. He indicated that, aside from the current system constraints, it was necessary for Eskom to implement rolling blackouts this time around.

The call to relieve the power grid from the pressure of demand was made by De Ruyter. He stated that it was a decision he regrets but it is vital, nonetheless, if Eskom’s old maintenance philosophy is to be adopted correctly.

#Eskom De Ruyter says he is personally involved in the process of #Loadshedding and says its regrettable that they have to do this to South Africans. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/IjB44j5eE5

— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 31, 2020

#Eskom De Ruyter says with the power utility returning to the old philosophical maintenance routine there will be #Loadshedding. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/tfiGJY5WAd

— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 31, 2020

The power of unbundling

The CEO also made mention of the unbundling process. He indicated that while this was inevitable, certain steps have to be taken before Eskom can be restructured.

#Eskom De Ruyter says the power utility will be broken into various divisions first before they go into unbundling Eskom into three divisions,"so we are not putting the brakes as some publication said but we are pushing the accelerator in order to get to the unbundling"#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/OJ6L2fdJBp

— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 31, 2020