CARMEL RICKARD: The battle for Ingula
Eskom is fighting to get a Free State municipality to pay R3bn owed for electricity, and is also involved in a struggle to protect an important wetland
Say "Eskom" and "Harrismith" and most readers would instantly add the word "trouble". After all, the R3bn debt owed by the Harrismith municipality of Maluti-A-Phofung to Eskom is the highest in SA. Eskom is about to launch a series of major power outages to force payment by the municipality, and there is also ongoing legal action against Eskom by Harrismith businesses to test whether other arms of government share responsibility for resolving the impasse. To most outsiders the general picture is of a difficult and fractious relationship. But there is another side: the Ingula wetlands conservation project near Harrismith. This is a world-acclaimed scheme focused on a sensitive wetland, home to some of SA’s most endangered birds and other wildlife. The project has led to Eskom working in close partnership with conservation organisations to protect the wetland and its creatures, while building a now fully commissioned water-based electricity storage project, Eskom’s third hydro-pumped ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.