Two more years of load shedding - Mantashe

This is how long it will take Eskom to stabilise the power grid.

Mantashe was speaking on day two of the debate on the State of the Nation Address.

He admitted that unreliable electricity supply poses the biggest threat to economic growth.

"Mineral resources and energy is purposely aimed at increasing the capacity and capability of the state to drive economic recovery. Mining and energy are a catalyst to economic growth and development.

Mantashe added: "Energy infrastructure underpins economic activity and growth, therefore, should be robust extensive to meet the industrial, commercial and household needs. An unreliable electricity supply is the biggest threat to economic growth, job placement development.”

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Mantashe’s warning of two more years of load shedding is some six months more that Eskom’s estimate of 18 months.

"Intermittent supply deficiency problems persist due to unavailability of bulk of the generation plant because of breakdowns. Eskom is unable to reliably meet peak electricity demand above 31 000mW,” Mantashe told MPs.

"According to Eskom, we face at least two years minimum of potential load shedding."

Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises Phumulo Masualle on Wednesday conceded that state-oned enterprises are not functioning at full capacity.

"We concede that our SOEs are not doing well in fulfilling their mandate.

"We have taken measures to resolve this crisis because to us Eskom is an urgent and immediate priority. Eskom has provided a plan to improve generation capacity," he said.