Ramokgopa: Six units set to return this week

Ramokgopa provided an update on the power grid in Tshwane on Sunday in Pretoria.

Eskom placed the country on stage 1 load shedding from 5am on Sunday morning until 4pm, which will be followed by stage 2. 

“We have seen that 11 units went out and as a result of boiler tubing’s and we are expecting the return of the 6 of the units by Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Five units have already come back and that is why we are seeing a little bit of ease which coincided with the weekend and the issues of lower demand,” said Ramokgopa.  

“So, it’s important that as we articulate this Energy Action Plan remember the first of the outcomes which is to ensure that we fix Eskom and primarily is to ensure that we address the issue of the reliability and performance of these units."

Recently, there has seen an increase in the installation of rooftop solar PV within households and businesses in the country as a result of Eskom’s limited grid capacity.  

This comes after the government introduced a 25% rebate on the cost of the panels. 

“The week that we have come from, we experienced about 17 000MW of this fail and that’s significant because it undermines the positive trajectory and this is totally unacceptable," said Ramokgopa. 

“We are advocating for roof-top solar panels and the creation of a financing facility to ensure access to solar PV for poor households."

Meanwhile, Ramokgopa said the first shipment from China has arrived and will help to alleviate pressure from the grid. 

“The first consignment of the China shipment has arrived, we will be unveiling it officially on the 16th of November. We are going to get about 450 units of alternative emergency power solutions. The major beneficiaries are going to be the department of health because we are targeting clinics in rural areas."

ALSO READ: