Resolving load shedding within a touching distance - Ramokgopa

ELECTRICITY and Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa has announced positive developments regarding South Africa's power supply, revealing that the national electricity grid has reached a commendable state of stability in recent weeks.

- BANELE GININDZA

With the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) exceeding 61% over the past fortnight, and unplanned outages significantly reduced to approximately 10 000 megawatts (MW)—down from 13 500 MW during the same period last year—the national utility, Eskom, is generating more electricity than needed.

This prominent achievement has led to a substantial decrease in expenditures on diesel, with R5 billion spent on diesel compared to R13.5bn for the same period in 2023.

"We are within touching distance of resolving load shedding, I will come back and share with the rest of the country very soon about that," Ramokgopa said on Wednesday.

He attributed the turnaround to fixing Thuthuka, Dhuva, Majuba, Kendal, Arnot and Kriel, which contributed 70% to load shedding, and especially protecting Lethabo, Matimba and Medupi, which were classed as flagship stations.