Following the spate of power outages in 2005 across the country NERSA embarked on a programme to address the large number and severity of power interruptions caused by the poor state of electricity distribution infrastructure in the country.

According to the audit the issues of skills shortages in both large and small municipalities would have to be solved in order to address the R431 million refurbishment backlog.

"Electricity maintenance in small municipalities were generally in poor shape and often do not deliver the quality of supply required of them," said NERSA on Wednesday.

Addressing the media on the findings of its technical audit of 11 electricity distributors networks, NERSA's Chairperson Collin Matjila said the networks were in a poor state of repair.

"They are heavily under-resourced and stressed in the delivery of the necessary levels of service," he said.

The audit also found that very few formal systems are in place for the management of the maintenance process and great reliance was placed on individual engineers.

"This adds great risk when individuals leave the service at the same time limiting the introduction of modern, innovative technologies and systems thus ensuring that these utilities will remain static," Mr Matjila said.

A recruitment drive to have retired engineers coming back to service and training young engineers was part of the skills improvement strategy.

Eskom has embarked on a skill development programme to recruit about 400 engineers, with more than 200 engineers being hired.

Mr Matjila added that the energy regulator was encouraged by the well designed and installed energy networks in the country's Metros.

"The electricity transmission and distribution systems operated by Metros are generally of a well-designed and serviceable state," he added.

He also announced that there would be no increase in the amount of electricity for now.

It was reported that Eskom would seek an 18 percent increase in the price of electricity.

Eskom, he said, had been requested to submit a comprehensive application on all matters relating to the Multi Year Price Determination including the primary energy costs and their reported R150 billion accelerated capital program.

"We will at an appropriate time after studying all documents requested from Eskom pronounce on the process to be followed and make a decision based on that process," he said.

The technical audit was conducted on 11 large distributors namely: Ekurhuleni, City of Tshwane, City of Cape Town, Ethekwini, Emfuleni, Mangaung, Msunduzi, Rustenburg, Eskom Southern Region, Eskom North West Region and Nelson Mandela Metro to determine their state of readiness in providing electricity in the country.

There remains, Mr Matjila said, a number of key issues which require urgent attention if electricity distribution is to deliver the necessary level of service.

"The findings reflect the generally held views of the industry in regard to lack of investment and skills, restating those issues would not add value to the assignment," the audit said.

Part of this it said would be to motivate for funding of the backlog and municipalities would be required to also invest more into their networks.

By Bongani Mlangeni

BuaNews