During a media briefing updating the media on the implementation of the energy action plan, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reiterated the government’s commitment to finding solutions to eliminate loadshedding but would not provide a specific timeline for these plans.
According to EWN, among the proposed solutions are the repair of deteriorating coal-fired power plants and the implementation of long-term strategies to increase the country’s power generation capacity.
Also read: What happened to loadshedding? Eskom’s CEO sheds light on the matter
For more than 15 years, frequent power outages have had a significant negative impact on South Africa, the most industrialised country in Africa. These outages have had a detrimental effect on the country’s ability to conduct business, leading to a weakened currency and dampening investor confidence.
While there has been some improvement in power generation capacity, Ramokgopa acknowledged that further efforts are necessary to completely eliminate power cuts.
‘I’m very consistent. I will not give you the date. I’m going to give you the number of megawatts that are coming on stream,’ he said.
Ramokgopa said the country has averted the worst-case scenario this winter, with stage 8 loadshedding kept at bay.
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The minister emphasised his consistency in not providing a specific date for when loadshedding will cease, instead opting to highlight the number of additional megawatts that will be added to the grid. He stated that the country has managed to avoid the worst-case scenario of stage 8 loadshedding this winter season.
Ramokgopa urged the public to assess the available information and calculate when loadshedding might come to an end, indicating that the signs are already apparent.
‘Do your numbers, and then you’ll know when loadshedding will end. I’m not here to give you dates; you are seeing it.’
Despite the progress made in improving the energy availability factor, the government has differing opinions regarding the timeline for households and businesses to see an end to loadshedding.
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Picture: @Kgosientsho_R / Twitter
