Eskom waives interest and penalties for City of Johannesburg
City Power and Eskom have reached a settlement over the City of Johannesburg's exorbitant electricity debt.
WATCH | City Power, Eskom reach R3.2bn settlement to stop Joburg blackouts threat
The City will settle R3.2 billion rand over the next four years.
Eskom has also agreed to waive interest, penalties and other charges amounting to R830 million rand. Energy analyst, Chris Yelland, from EE Business Intelligence spoke to eNCA.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
WATCH: City Power hosts the 2025 schools EEDSM awards ceremony
City Power (CP) marked two milestones in its drive towards a sustainable energy future by celebrating the winners of the 2025 Schools' Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) competition and launching the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the CoJ municipal buildings. The event, hosted on August 13 at CP's headquarters, was officiated by CP CEO Tshifularo Mashava. It brought together learners, teachers, municipal officials and energy officials from the CoJ to celebrate education-driven climate action. The competition is a national initiative implemented by CP in collaboration with the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), and funded through the EEDSM grant programme. It is designed to promote a just and sustainable energy transition by fostering awareness, innovation and environmental stewardship among high school learners. Mashava praised the young participants, emphasising that the event represented a commitment to provide the resources, mentorship and platforms needed for their innovations to thrive, alongside the CoJ supporting them every step of the way. @ The event, hosted on August 13 at CP's headquarters, was officiated by CP CEO Tshifularo Mashava. It brought together learners, teachers, municipal officials and energy officials from the CoJ to celebrate education-driven climate action. ♬ original sound – Southern Courier 'CP is about keeping the lights on for our people, and also for the progress of society. The progress of society is guaranteed with the brilliant minds in this room. We've seen that the future is in the hands of our youth. The submissions we received exceeded our expectations. Our responsibility is to nurture and support young minds, ensuring that the inspiration they showed here doesn't end today,' said Mashava. 'We also congratulate and celebrate young girls entering the energy space. All it takes is the mindset to say, 'I can be wherever I want to be', especially as we observe Women's Month. Today is not just about the event or the competition; it's about our ongoing commitment to supporting these young minds. We will be calling on businesses to support future initiatives like this one. These learners are not just future leaders; they are already innovators shaping how our city uses and saves energy. Their work proves that climate action starts in our classrooms and can inspire change in our communities,' added Mashava. This year's competition engaged 19 schools across Johannesburg. The learners competed in three practical and creative categories, including poster design to showcase renewable energy and energy-saving ideas, short videos promoting efficiency at home and school, and prototype models demonstrating innovative, often recycled, energy-saving solutions. Sgodiphola Secondary School clinched first place, winning R35 000 for their cost-effective solar water heating model. Seanamarena High School's household energy conservation video came second, winning R25 000. Jabulani Technical High School's automated classroom lighting system was third, winning R15 000. The competition will be expanded to integrate with key platforms, such as the 2025 Energy Indaba youth internship programmes. It will ensure that winning ideas are widely shared and young innovators are supported in their careers. While accepting his award, Lesedi Mokone from Jabulani Technical High School said he was honoured to be part of the competition, as he has always been curious about fixing things around the house and pursuing innovation. @ While accepting his award, Lesedi Mokone from Jabulani Technical High School said he was honoured to be part of the competition, as he has always been curious about fixing things around the house and pursuing innovation. 'Thank you to CP for this opportunity. It is my dream to become an electrical engineer, a passion I've had from a young age. I was always curious and wanted to fix things around the house. During load-shedding, I would think that if I were an electrical engineer, and companies listened to us as people, we could find solutions to these problems,' said Mokone. ♬ original sound – Southern Courier 'Thank you to CP for this opportunity. It is my dream to become an electrical engineer, a passion I've had from a young age. I was always curious and wanted to fix things around the house. During load-shedding, I would think that if I were an electrical engineer, and companies listened to us as people, we could find solutions to these problems,' said Mokone. EPCs for the municipal buildings During the ceremony, CP unveiled its newly issued EPC and 28 additional EPCs for municipal buildings, now certified under the national Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of the EPC for Buildings. @ EPCs for the municipal buildings During the ceremony, CP unveiled its newly issued EPC and 28 additional EPCs for municipal buildings, now certified under the national Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of the EPC for Buildings. ♬ original sound – Southern Courier 'The Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), in partnership with CP, has led efforts to ensure the CoJ complies with the Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for buildings. These national regulations require qualifying non-residential buildings to display an EPC, which rates a building's energy efficiency based on 12 months of consumption. EPCs serve as a tool for transparency, accountability and long-term energy savings,' said Olga Chauke, the EISD head of energy at the CoJ. 'Achieving EPC compliance is about more than meeting regulations. It is a statement that Joburg is serious about transparency, energy efficiency and climate resilience. Our leadership in this space sets the tone for other municipalities and the private sector,' added Chauke.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
New Sun CEO rolls up his sleeves to help others
Just one month into the job Sun International's new CEO, Ulrik Bengtsson, rolled up his sleeves to personally plant herbs and vegetables into planter boxes destined for needy families in Alexandra, Rosettenville, and White City, Soweto. #BeTheDifference, Sun International's new CEO Ulrik Bengtsson planting a garden, while others made light work packing Jars of Hope and meals. Across the country, 800 staff participated in 22 activations, reaching 290 000 beneficiaries with a contribution value of over R3.2 million. Bengttson said, 'When I learned about the initiative I asked to be included in the team so I could play my part and also make a difference. I am proud of what we achieved, and even more proud of what Sun International, as a group, has managed to do for less fortunate people and communities.' The initiative forms part of the group's Festival of Giving, which was launched last year. It takes place in July but does not replace traditional Sun International Mandela Day activities, rather it dovetails with them by amplifying the generosity and giving that July has come to be known for. Bengtsson took his place alongside 150 employees from the company's Sandton headquarters, where they packed 200 meals, planted 50 garden boxes, and created 150 Jars of Hope, each containing enough nutritious dry ingredients to feed a family of four. The recipients were 450 families with an estimated 2 000 individuals benefitting from it. Heidi Edson, Sun International's SED Specialist (far left) spearheading the Festival of Giving with fellow employees at Central Office. Organisations that benefitted include Rise Against Hunger, supported by GrandWest, Sibaya and Windmill, and care for the elderly from Time Square and Carnival City. Wild Coast Sun, Golden Valley, Boardwalk and Flamingo worked with Early Childhood Development NPOs while Sun City made donations to House built by Manke and Meropa assisted victims of abuse. Another beneficiary was Corinthians, a non-profit organisation that promotes sports for the visually impaired. From a fun-filled day of soccer and netball. Thirty-five Sun International employees took to the field against 40 Corinthians team members in blind soccer and blind netball matches, to highlight the inclusive nature of these sports. Joining the teams in a fun-filled day of soccer and netball were the group's sporting ambassadors Pollen Ndlanya, former Bafana Bafana footballer, and Dumisani Chauke, renowned netball coach and sports ambassador. Sun International's Central Office demonstrated its spirit of giving during this year's Festival of Giving, achieving an impressive impact through collective effort, valued at R430 000. Employees created 150 Jars of Hope, packed 200 meals, and planted 50 Gardens for Giving, collectively benefitting 2 000 individuals across 450 families in Alexandra, Rosettenville, and White City, Soweto. More than 150 employees from Sun International's Central Office volunteered their time to enhance food security and bring hope to vulnerable communities. Contributions were donated to Meals on Wheels and the Corinthians Organisation, helping to provide both nourishment and support. But there was more, the company further supported Corinthians, a non-profit organisation that promotes sports for the visually impaired, by hosting a fun-filled soccer and netball day. Thirty-five employees took to the field against 40 Corinthians team members in blind soccer and blind netball matches, highlighting the inclusive nature of these sports. Sun International sporting ambassadors Pollen Ndlanya, former Bafana Bafana footballer, and Dumisani Chauke, renowned netball coach and sports ambassador, joined the event, inspiring participants and celebrating the power of teamwork and community. 'Our efforts reflect Sun International's ongoing commitment to supporting communities, fostering inclusive sports, and making a meaningful difference,' said Edson, creator of Sun International's annual Festival of Giving campaign. GrandWest once again played a key role in Rise Against Hunger's annual Mandela Day meal-packing initiative, contributing R64 750 to enable learners and educators from three local high schools to participate, while also waiving the Market Hall venue hire fee. This year, 1 080 volunteers – including corporate teams from Nedbank, Standard Bank, and Good Hope FM, alongside learners and educators – packed 240 624 meals in less than five hours. These meals will feed 1 046 children for an entire year through school feeding schemes and Early Childhood Development centres nationwide. Each pack contains rice, soya, soup mix, and a vitamin sachet, providing essential daily nutrition. Adding a creative touch, GrandWest's executive chef Keshan Rambarun prepared meals for the volunteers using the same ingredients. 'Every year, we are proud to support this initiative that changes children's lives,' said GrandWest general manager Mervyn Naidoo. 'It's inspiring to see so many hands come together to fight hunger.'
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Electricity demand ‘met 97% of the time' this winter, Eskom says
Eskom said the system continues to operate reliably, enabling it to meet winter electricity demand effectively. Eskom says it has met electricity 97% of the time this bitter winter, with the power grid stable as the country moves into a warmer climate. The power utility's spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said the system continues to operate reliably, enabling Eskom to meet winter electricity demand effectively. Demand Mokwena said when system constraints do arise, they are managed through the 'targeted use of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods.' 'Electricity demand has been met over 97% of the time during the winter season and the financial year to date. Since 15 May 2025, South Africa has experienced no load shedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 14 August 2025. 'With just over two weeks remaining in Eskom's Winter Outlook period, the power system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and reliably meet demand,' Mokwena said. Load shedding Mokwena added that the winter outlook, published on 5 May 2025, covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. 'It indicates that load shedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to stage 2.' 'Good space' Last week, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said Eskom was in a good space and South Africans shouldn't worry about the utility burning through billions of rands in diesel to keep the lights on because it was all part of the plan. Briefing the media on the state of the electricity grid on Wednesday, Ramokgopa said it was no secret that Eskom experienced 'significant challenges'. 'At the beginning of the financial year, in April, we relied more and more on the diesel to be able to support us, and this diesel was able to support us because it's meant to support us during those periods of difficulty.' ALSO READ: Eskom burns nearly R6 billion on diesel to keep lights on during winter ICU to general ward Ramokgopa said the return to service of Kusile Unit 6 and Medupi Unit 4 were among the reasons there has been no load shedding this winter. He also said improvements at other power stations have eased the burden on Eskom. 'One of those exceptional performers, from an improvement point of view, is Tutuka. So we've gotten back units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, that's exceptional. So now we take that station from an ICU. It's in a general ward, now it will work on its own, and then it starts running. When it starts running, the light will just be on and on and on.' Ramokgopa said that as South Africa marks nearly 90 days without load shedding, they want to make electricity affordable. ALSO READ: Eskom adds more power to electricity grid as G20 summit approaches
