Load shedding exemption 'will need bigger Eskom budget'
Advocate Paul Hoffman says Eskom will need a bigger budget if it is to exempt the essential sector from planned power cuts.
Hoffman, who is attached to civil society organisation Accountability Now, has been reacting to Friday's High Court’s ruling on load shedding.
The High Court in Pretoria ordered the government to take “reasonable steps” to exempt hospitals, police stations, and schools from blackouts.
The ruling comes as country continues to experience daily planned power cuts as Eskom struggles to produce enough electricity to keep the lights on.
The judgment was delivered in an application by a broad coalition of political parties and labour unions which wanted the court to force the government to end load shedding with immediate effect.
Hoffman says the exemption would need Eskom to procure more diesel.
“More money should be budgeted and getting diesel being put in generators and ensuring that all the old coal power stations do get fixed. Then it will be possible, it is just a matter of budget.”
"Pending the final determination of Part B of the application in respect of users of electricity, whether supplied directly by Eskom or by local authorities, the Minister of Public Enterprises shall take all reasonable steps within 60 days from the date of this order,” the judgment read.
Part B is set to be heard in September.
ALSO READ
