46 days of load shedding hits Eskom’s financials

South Africa’s worst bout of load shedding in years saw Eskom’s electricity sales decline 1.3% in its financial year to March 31, 2020.

The debt-laden state power giant published its latest financials on Friday, noting that “the declining energy availability factor” resulted in 46 days of load shedding during the year.

The utility posted an operating profit of R9.2 billion but a net loss of R20.5 billion due to its huge debt servicing costs, and said electricity growth was hampered by capacity shortages and adverse economic conditions.

Load shedding is seen as a contributing factor to South Africa hitting a recession last year.

Read: SA’s future rests on a perpetually broken utility

“During the [year under review], Eskom experienced significant operational and financial challenges, resulting in Stage 6 load shedding during December 2019 and further financial assistance from the government,” it said in a statement.

Taking action

Eskom noted that management has made significant changes to arrest its operational and financial decline.

“We have implemented assertive collection strategies against the largest municipal defaulters, which has resulted in a 17% increase in payment levels from these customers during the current financial year – FY21,” said Eskom CEO André de Ruyter.

Read: Eskom gets tough with errant municipalities, grabs cash and land

“This is one of the key areas that require a concerted effort if Eskom is to embark on a sustainable course. Every consumer of electricity needs to pay for what they consume,” he added.

Financials

“Despite an improved Ebitda [earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation] of R37 billion, compared to R31.4 billion in 2019, Eskom incurred a net loss after tax of R20.5 billion,” its statement noted.

“During the year the company raised R50.9 billion in debt, against the target of R46 billion. Furthermore, 64% of the funding requirements for the 2021 financial year have already been secured.”

Eskom said that its “unsustainable debt burden” led to net finance cost of R31.2 billion, which resulted in the R20.5 billion net loss.

The utility’s debt now stands at R484 billion.

The group’s net loss is slightly better than its previous financial year (ended March 2019), when it reported an after-tax net loss of R21 billion.

Commenting on the financial performance, Eskom CFO Calib Cassim noted that there was an improvement in Eskom’s financial position owing to government equity support of R49 billion during the year and R56 billion allocated to FY2021.

“Cash from operations is insufficient to service Eskom’s debt commitments and therefore support from government was necessary,” he said.

“But the company cannot rely on government support for survival.”

Listen to Nompu Siziba’s interview with CEO André de Ruyter (or read the transcript here):