Saving energy saves the environment: Between our energy use and the environment, there is a direct connection, although it may not be that apparent. By consuming less power, the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants is reduced, the earth's natural resources are conserved and ecosystems protected from destruction. You will be contributing to a healthier and happier world by taking steps to reduce your energy consumption. Climate change prevention and protecting the ai

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, has finally released it's much awaited IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) on Friday past. So if you're not already aware of this new energy plan, let's unpack it a little bit. The policy includes some surprising interventions. Some of these notable interventions include the following: Coal Dependence Currently, in terms of the total energy generation in South Africa, coal accounts for 77% of that across all it's coal plants.

This week, we have some more positive news other than the Boks making it through to the semi-finals of the world cup! Eskom has suspended load-shedding for today, and the outlook and possibilities for load-shedding happening for the rest of the week remains a very low possibility. This is is despite the continued constraints and vulnerabilities that exists with the current power grid. In a statement released by Eskom, they mention that the system has improved and this was lar

The state-owned enterprise, Eskom, has downgraded stage level for load-shedding to stage 1. This is the case at the time of writing but there still remains the strong possibility that the stage level will be upgraded to stage two, and this could even be a possibility today and definitely going into the weekend. This despite Eskom CEO, Jabu Mabuza saying that load-shedding should cease by this weekend. The current load-shedding implementation has been blamed on boiler leaks a

Dear User , Please be advised that as of the 1st of October, 2019, we have gained support for the following municipalities : DCL Metering Dynamic Prepaid Watelec Zotos Ventures Matzikama Municipality Ontec DA Metering Systems Ontec Meter Man Systems Centlec Direct If you are part of of these municipalities and utilities, we are plead to announce that you are supported on our platform and you are free to register and make your prepaid electricity purchases through our platfor

Residents of the Newcastle municipality can breath easy, at least for now. The Pietermartizberg High Court yesterday ruled against Eskom's decision to shut down the electricity supply to the municipality. This due to Newcastle owing Eskom R200m in accumulated debt, which spans a two year period. In delivering his final decision on the matter, Judge Piet Bezuidenhout mentioned that the small town relies on the municipality to power their households and business in the area. I

Gwede Mantashe, minister of mineral resources and energy has let the cat out the bag at a round table recently. He says that the South African government is looking at nuclear energy solutions in the long-term energy strategy. Under former state president Jacob Zuma's administration, the then minister of energy tried to push through a nuclear energy deal with Russian energy company, Rostom, which, had it succeeded, would have effectively bankrupted the country's coffers. Ci

The aim of The National Braai Day initiative is to position National Heritage Day as South Africa’s annual day of celebration. The call is on all South Africans to unite around fires, to share our heritage and wave the flag on 24 September every year. The South African government has set this day aside for all South Africans to celebrate our rich heritage. Across all races, languages, region and religion, there is one common heritage we all love and share. It goes by various

Earlier this year, former Eskom CEO, Phakamani Hadebe stepped down as CEO citing extremely difficult and unimaginable demands of the task and demands of the job. Eskom has then started advertising for the role of CEO at the end of July. The struggling power utility has had 10 CEO's in as many years. The job ad advised that the new incumbent would oversee Eskom's turnaround strategy, which includes restructuring of the power utility into three entities. Experts in the field

During the Afriforesight Future of Coals and Bulk Commodities Conference, Eskom board member Nelisiwe Magubane made a very odd and somewhat surprising admission in front of an audience listening in on the thoughts of various leaders on the future of energy in our country. At this sit in, she made the remark that economic growth, would put South Africa on "the brink of load-shedding". She does go on to explain why a positive economic outlook would have a negative impact on E

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) is investigating the City of Cape Town’s electricity tariff increase and its tariff structure. This was confirmed by Nersa spokesperson, Charles Hlebela following an outcry from residents and numerous complaints. “Nersa received numerous complaints regarding the City of Cape Town’s electricity tariffs and is looking into the matter”, Charles Hlebela confirmed. The investigation was widely welcomed, specifically from civic

In this article, we now focus on our residents who currently reside in City of Tshwane, who will also, like everyone else be largely affected by the tariff hikes on the 1st of July. The increases will see the residents of Tshwane cough up a bit more in payment of their utility bills. Rate payers will have to pay an extra 8% on their water bills while electricity is expected to be increased by 12% This comes after newly sworn in mayor, Stevens Mokgalapa made mention and discu

We take a look at how tariff increases would be affecting the City of Cape Town and it's residents. What is of particular interest for our user based in Cape Town, are those who consume up to and not exceeding 450kWh per month. These are attributed the Lifeline tariff, and are subject to free basic electricity.

Eskom chief executive officer Phakamani Hadebe has tendered his resignation and will be leaving the debt-laden power utility at the end of July, deepening a crisis that many has described as the biggest present day threat to the economy. "It is no secret that this role comes with unimaginable demands which have unfortunately had a negative impact on my health," the outgoing CEO said in his statement. At the end of March, Eskom’s debt stood at R440bn and it isn’t selling e

This week, the Austrian ambassador South Africa officially launched two new solar power systems in Johannesburg. The SOLTRAIN projects includes a district heating plant for Wits University residences and a solar process heating plant for the Klein Karoo International tannery. The Wits Junction district heating project combines solar, co-generation, and gas heating technologies. This project would serve 14 student residence buildings that house 1,103 students supplied by hot

Eskom has been approved an average annual increase for it's Eskom direct customers. That increase has taken effect as of the 1st of April and see's direct customers coughing up an extra 13.87% more for their electricity purchases going forward. Municipal clients will see an extra 15.63% average increase in their tariff, this will be effective as of the 1st of July, 2019. These increases comes as a result of NERSA approving the Eskom application, as they seek to claw back t

The situation at Eskom seem to be hitting new lows every other week. The past two weeks has seen the energy utility reintroduce the public to candlelit dinners and days spent running up a sweat in the February summer heat with no fan or air-conditioning. Eskom surprised when it suddenly changed the advisory alert for load-shedding from stage 2 to stage 4. This caused huge alarms and upset many businesses, causing millions of rands in loss daily. While load-shedding is somethi

Eskom has said that stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented as of Sunday, 10th of February, from 1pm to 10pm and has announced that we'll experience rotational load-shedding again, today (11th February, 2019) from 9:00am till 22:00pm tonight. This came directly from a press release, through their spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe. The energy utility has not had to implement load-shedding since the 9th of December, although there has been threats and signs that we could once again

South Africa has recently been hit with powercuts with state-owned power utility struggling to handle demand due to the pressing issue with their under fire coal stations. Many of these stations are struggling with dwindling coal reserves which impacts their ability to produce sufficient power to sustain the grid. The situation has been relieved slightly due to the powercuts although it might make a comeback after mid-Jan, with many factories and businesses reopening after th

A new solar power plant has recently been launched in the Northern Cape, close to Upington. It is said that this plant would be able to create 100MW of energy and supply this to about 100 000 households. The Karoshoek Solar One project as it is aptly named, is part of the goverment's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and will assist when Eskom is forced to institute load-shedding as a result of it's underfire coal stations. Unlike a tr