Yet another above-inflation increase on electricity tariff – with the likelihood of more to come
The 12.74% tariff increase, while substantially less than Eskom’s requested 36.15%, is cold comfort for households and businesses already struggling to afford electricity, and which now face yet another above-inflation increase – with the likelihood of more to come. Deliberations over the tariff hike also raise concern about Eskom’s balance sheet and ongoing municipal debt. […]
There’s little point supplying electricity that is unaffordable – and becoming more unaffordable every year
Eskom has been rightly praised for achieving 300 consecutive days without load shedding. But there’s little point supplying electricity that is unaffordable – and becoming more unaffordable every year. Given the recent series of steep electricity tariff increases, it is difficult to believe Eskom is serious about their latest proposed tariff increase, of 44%. Agreeing […]
Crucial step in ending the Eskom monopoly – Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill passed this week
The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the groundbreaking news of energy sector reform in the shape of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, which was passed this week in the National Assembly. The Bill is a crucial step in ending the Eskom monopoly in power production, and looks set to usher in a new […]
Bay businesses counting cost of downtime due to rising number of unplanned power outages
Hundreds of businesses operating in six industrial areas in Nelson Mandela Bay are counting the cost of losing production time as a result of unplanned power outages which have risen to 42 since the beginning of the year, says Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen. The businesses are located in some […]
Load Shedding Crisis: Plastic manufacturing sector suffers 30%-40% declines
Load shedding is having a disastrous impact on the local plastic manufacturing sector, with some SMME’s reporting declines of around 30%-40%, according to Plastics SA’s Anton Hanekom. Many companies are unable to afford the massive capital expenditure required for alternative energy supply (hybrid solution of solar and other sources eg. generators) to offset the impact […]
Cape Chamber welcomes City of Cape Town bid to absorb Eskom clients and infrastructure into single Metro power plan
The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes news that the City and Eskom are in discussion about the possible transfer of Eskom staff and infrastructure to the City, as reported in recent months. If the move goes ahead the City would absorb Eskom-managed clients and infrastructure into its budget. About 15% of City residents […]
Loadshedding Mitigation Interventions are vital to saving investment and jobs in Nelson Mandela Bay
Extreme loadshedding is placing our local manufacturers under immense strain and it is thus essential that all the stakeholders work together to find emergency solutions to mitigate the risks, says Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. She said that now that extreme loadshedding has become the norm, manufacturers are struggling […]
Loadshedding is placing the local economy under strain
According to a survey conducted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, loadshedding is having a detrimental impact on investments and jobs in Nelson Mandela Bay, with one in five businesses reporting that they have cut jobs and over 90% halting investment and expansion plans. With no end in sight to constant loadshedding, and more […]
Struandale Cluster adopts four Substations to prevent further vandalism
The Struandale Cluster, one of the geographic clusters falling under the umbrella of organised business, has adopted four substations today as part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber’s Adopt-A-Substation initiative, which focuses on safeguarding this infrastructure against vandalism and theft. The Cluster has taken a lead in strengthening security measures around the Kwa-Ford, Struandale, […]