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Diesel urgently needed to keep the lights on
The South African National Energy Association says government needs to urgently come up with the money to buy diesel for Eskom.
JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Energy Association (SANEA) says the country is in trouble.
It says government needs to urgently come up with the money to buy diesel.
Eskom warned last week that it was running out of money to buy the diesel that often keeps the lights on.
READ: Gordhan, Eskom hold urgent meeting over diesel supplies
The cash-strapped power utility has ramped up blackouts due to low diesel reserves and breakdowns.
Meanwhile, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has urged Treasury to release funds so the power utility could procure more diesel.
“Without the diesel, we’re talking about two levels of load-shedding," said SANEA's Etienne Rubbers.
"This limits flexibility that we have in the electricity grid. We need to find money to buy diesel.
"We need support and assistance. We need the private sector to invest in the electricity economy," he said.