A combined engineering discipline based representative group under the auspices of Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) met with the Minister of Public enterprise, Mr Pravin Gordhan on Friday to discuss their concerns and solution over strained supply challenges at Eskom.
 
Purpose of the meeting was to discuss operational challenges, engineering, technical capacity and capability, restructuring and the financial viability faced by the utility. The meeting also reiterated the engineering fraternity’s commitment to be part of the ever-lasting solution in resolving the power generation constraints which forced the Utility to implement loadshedding. The engineering bodies have been instrumental in the design, engineering and building the South African electricity supply and infrastructure over the years.
 
Following this engagement, the engineering community has been asked to propose a framework for working together with Eskom and the ministry to find solution in operational, logistical, systems, maintenance and capital project areas of the challenge faced by Eskom. The professional engineering bodies also expressed their willingness to work with local and external experts to tackle and solve the extensive challenges faced.
 
The Minister in consultation with ECSA tasked the CEO of the South Africa Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), Mr Sicelo Xulu to present him with their analysis of the challenges facing Eskom and to propose how the South African Engineering fraternity could get involved in, and assist, Eskom and the Minster to develop a coherent plan to achieve operational stability, effective, suitable maintenance and system resilience in the electricity network.
 
 

Issued by the Engineering Council of South Africa and Institute of Engineers Australia