Energy and Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has informed the National Assembly that South Africa is likely to enjoy a disruption-free summer with no load shedding expected. This announcement came in response to a query from EFF MP Omphile Maotwe, who inquired about the status of load shedding following extensive maintenance at Eskom’s coal power stations.
Ramokgopa explained that Eskom has seen significant improvements in plant availability since the beginning of the year, thanks to decreased unplanned outages. “Our generation capacity has managed to keep unplanned losses under 14,000 megawatts during the winter, allowing for additional short-term maintenance,” he elaborated.
Highlighting the strides made in energy generation, Ramokgopa is optimistic about maintaining reliable power throughout the summer of 2024. He noted that efforts to upgrade the coal fleet and introduce new generation capacities are aligned with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
Eskom, which has experienced its longest period without load shedding since late 2020—128 consecutive days—attributes this success to effective recovery strategies and the hard work of its 40,000 employees. Bheki Nxumalo, Group Executive for Generation, mentioned, “Achieving over 100 days without load shedding marks a significant milestone, reflecting our capacity to meet energy demands without interruptions.”
Despite these positive developments, Eskom’s leadership acknowledges the ongoing risk of load shedding but remains committed to transitioning technologies and enhancing energy systems to sustain this new standard of reliability.
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