‘Resignation of André de Ruyter will deepen the Eskom crisis’

Solidarity has come forward and said the resignation of André de Ruyter will deepen the Eskom crisis and will not alleviate it. The wrong person resigned.

SOLIDARITY SAID DE RUYTER’S RESIGNATION WILL DEEPEN THE ESKOM CRISIS

This comes shortly after the news broke that Eskom’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Andre de Ruyter, reportedly resigned from his position this week.

 According to Connie Mulder, Head of Solidarity Research Institute, the problem at Eskom is not the CEO’s operational will but the government’s political will. 

“The best person in the country can be appointed to the position but the current political dispensation makes it an impossible task for the person. 

“The politicians looked for a scapegoat to hide their own incompetence and exerted incredible pressure on De Ruyter. Instead of doing the right thing, the politicians sacrificed De Ruyter for the sake of their politics.” 

Connie Mulder

‘DE RUYTER STOOD ON THE OXYGEN LINE FEEDING CORRUPTION’

Connie furthermore said De Ruyter stood on the oxygen line feeding corruption. 

ALSO READ: Is this the end of load shedding? Five things you need to know about the family meeting

“Those who want to loot more exerted the most pressure for him to resign. Bigger corruption post – De Ruyter is a real danger. 

 “Drastic political changes are called for. The current government and the ministers involved do not have the ability to bring about the political changes that are required.” 

Connie Mulder

HIS RESIGNATION COMES AFTER SEVERAL CALLS FOR HIS HEAD FROM POLITICIANS AND THE LARGER PUBLIC

De Ruyter’s resignation comes after several calls for his head from politicians and sections of the larger public.

According to reports, he informed Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana of his decision to call it quits earlier this week. Makwana in turn informed Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

ALSO READ: Just in: Andre De Ruyter quits as Eskom CEO – reports

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about the country’s energy crisis. 

HERE ARE FIVE THINGS THAT WERE DISCUSSED BY RAMAPHOSA

Here are the five major things you should know from the family meeting. Take note we are still waiting to see these changes despite the family meeting in July. 

FIRSTLY– IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF ESKOM’S EXISTING FLEET OF POWER STATIONS

Over time, the maintenance programme of Eskom’s electricity generation fleet has declined. It is now been decided that over the next 12 months, Eskom will increase the budget allocated for critical maintenance to increase the reliability of its generation capacity

SECONDLY, IT WILL ACCELERATE THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW-GENERATION CAPACITY

The relevant government departments are working together to ensure that all projects from Bid Window 5 of the renewable energy programme can start construction on schedule.

THIRDLY, TO MASSIVELY INCREASE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN GENERATION CAPACITY

The licensing threshold for embedded generation will be removed completely. This will enable private investment in electricity generation to rise to higher levels.

While they will not require licenses, all new-generation projects will still have to register with the regulator and comply with the technical requirements for grid connection and our environmental legislation.

ALSO READ:South Africans urged to invest in rooftop solar with NEW rules and a pricing structure

FOURTH, ENABLE BUSINESSES AND HOUSEHOLDS TO INVEST IN ROOFTOP SOLAR

There is significant potential for households and businesses to install rooftop solar and connect this power to the grid. To incentivize greater uptake of rooftop solar, Eskom will develop rules and a pricing structure – known as a feed-in tariff – for all commercial and residential installations on its network.

FINALLY, TRANSFORMING THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR AND POSITIONING IT FOR FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY:

Eskom will be restructured, which will result in three entities, namely an electricity generation entity, an electricity transmission entity and an electricity distribution entity.

ALSO READ: Eskom to recruit FORMER senior plant managers and engineers