The South African Canegrowers Association has raised concerns that Eskom’s continuous implementation of rolling blackouts could cost the industry over R723 million this year.
The South African Canegrowers Association has raised concerns thatcould cost the industry over R723 million this year.
It estimates that should high stages of power cuts, such as Stages 6 to 8, be imposed regularly, it could eventually cost growers over R1.8 billion.“It’s made up of concerns of blocked growth because farmers are unable to irrigate their crops. We have over 1000 farmers who irrigate their sugar cane in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga and they are unable to do so, so the crops don’t grow properly.”
“In addition to that, they incur additional energy costs because of the disruption of their irrigation schedules by the blackouts. They are not able to take advantage of the tariff system which allows them to pay a lower tariff when they operate during low-demand times. But with the blackouts, they are forced to irrigate whenever they can and as a result are incurring these increased input costs,” says Russell.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
IN PICS | Gregory Porter wows South African music loversTwo-time Grammy award winner Gregory Porter wowed the audience at Montecasino’s Teatro on Thursday night.
Read more »
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: High-flying South African sides shift gear and focus to URCWith the Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Stormers having all qualified to continue their route in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, all four sides have now packed their bags for demanding URC fixtures.
Read more »
South African government weighs in on MTN’s R11.7-billion fight with GhanaSouth Africa’s foreign affairs minister Naledi Pandor has delivered a veiled warning to Ghana over its attempt to fine MTN R11.7 billion in back taxes.
Read more »
Business Maverick: Yellen Says South African Coal Communities Need $3.5 BillionSouth Africa has identified more than 60 billion rand ($3.5 billion) of investments needed to help communities in the coal-mining Mpumalanga province as the industry gradually winds down, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said as she announced an additional $45 million in grant support.
Read more »