Eskom: Loadshedding

 

In a recent statement, Dr. Ramokgopa, the Electricity Minister, attributed the limited occurrence of load shedding over the festive season to decreased demand and increased generation capacity. He cautioned, however, that this doesn't guarantee a sustained absence of load shedding. He highlighted the unpredictable nature of the situation, stating that South Africa will experience both days without load shedding and days with it.

Ramokgopa acknowledged Eskom's use of the low-demand period for planned maintenance to improve unit reliability. He expressed hope that these efforts would decrease repeat failures as units return to service. Despite these endeavors, he admitted that a majority of units remain unreliable, creating uncertainty in the electricity system.

The minister commended Eskom's generation team but stressed the ongoing uncertainty, stating that the unpredictable nature of certain units prevents a firm assurance against future load shedding. Alerts cautioning no load shedding until further notice reflect this lack of control over highly unreliable units.

Ultimately, the statement reflects a realistic view, acknowledging the ongoing struggle to stabilize the grid despite maintenance efforts. The emphasis remains on the challenges in ensuring consistent and reliable power supply to South Africans.