Load shedding will be resolved before elections, vows Ramokgopa

The minister answered questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The assurance comes in spite of Eskom implementing a record number of hours of load shedding in 2023, far surpassing the total set in 2022.

Ramokgopa told the National Assembly that, in spite of the ongoing power problems, the government aims to end rolling blackouts before elections.

"When we went into winter of this year, we didn't have the benefits of three generation units at Kusile Power Station. We also didn't have the benefits of one generation unit at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

“So when you compute the energy availability factor, comparing year-on-year, it shows that we are on the ascending.

“And I know that your grievances are primarily anchored on the fact that we are going to defeat and eliminate load shedding, and it will not become a factor when we go into the elections.

“So, your primary reason for undermining the ruling government gets to be eroded, and therefore, we are going to compete foot-on-foot," he said.

Ramokgopa defended the recent rounds of stage 6 power cuts, denying claims it was caused by a lack of money at Eskom.

"It wasn't a money problem, but the issues around challenges in relation to the supply chain and value chain associated with diesel.”

Ramokgopa said another contributing factor was planned maintenance, with Eskom tripling the maintenance schedule to ensure that 2000 MW would be brought in to resolve load shedding in the next three months.

"..What you are seeing today and what you will be seeing going forward is not an accident. It is a function of the work we have been doing.

“We are bringing on stream an additional 3200 MW in the next three months. We will be able to resolve the challenge of load shedding," says  Ramokgopa.

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