The escalating electricity debt owed by municipalities in Gauteng poses a significant challenge to Eskom, the entity stated.
It said the accumulating debt not only strains Eskom’s financial stability but also threatens the reliability of electricity supply across the province.
“The impact on Eskom’s financial stability is exacerbated by the City of Tshwane’s (CoT) accumulation of unpaid bills and Ekurhuleni (CoE) Municipality’s late payments, and it affects the residents and businesses that rely on a stable power supply,” it stated.
If left unaddressed, Eskom said the situation could lead to service interruptions, hindering economic activities.
“Despite continuous efforts to address the inconsistent and late payments, the debt, specifically that of the CoT, continues to grow and hinders Eskom’s ability to invest in essential infrastructure, maintenance, and the development of sustainable energy solutions,” Eskom said.
According to Eskom, the CoT has outstanding bills amounting to R3.1b for August, September, and October 2023, with a total debt of R4.2b and a current account of R1.1b due on December 28, 2023.
It said the CoE continues to settle its account late even after having the payment terms extended to 30 days and that it currently has arrears of R146m.
However, Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said they do not owe Eskom.
“This is a current account we always pay within the stipulated 30 days. It is not a historical debt as would seem to be implied,” Dlamini said.
All municipalities are urged to prioritise settling current accounts and outstanding electricity payments to Eskom.
Eskom said they remain committed to working with municipalities to find viable solutions and mitigate the potential repercussions of the mounting debt.
