Cape Town — For a while, this milestone did not seem possible but South Africans have now gone 100 consecutive days with no load shedding, marking great improvements from Eskom.
South Africans last experienced load shedding on 27 March 2024, and many South Africans would not have predicted more than 3 months of no power interruptions. Eskom, who has been under the microscope for poor performances, put it down to enhanced reliability and the performance of its generation fleet, it said in a statement.
“The achievement of 100 continuous days without load shedding is the outcome of the diligent execution of recovery plans and the tireless efforts of our 40 000 dedicated and skilled Eskom employees,” stated Bheki Nxumalo, Group Executive for Generation.
“If we maintain a 70% Energy Availability Factor (EAF) and add significant capacity within the country, we can ensure adequate available capacity to meet demand without a significant risk of load shedding,” added Nxumalo.
Eskom CEO, Dan Morokane, said the achievement of reaching 100 days with no load shedding is significant considering the difficulties and intensities of 2023. He added that the 100 days included a R6.2 billion reduction in open-cycle gas turbines (OCGT) diesel expenditure from 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Yesterday marked 100 days of no load shedding in the country, the milestone being the longest break in four years. Civil Nuclear Engineer Hugo Kruger says it helps to have Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as electricity minister as things have been better.
Watch:… pic.twitter.com/TOaVepLYuj
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 5, 2024
Eskom’s marked improvement is also down to the work of Minister of Energy and Electricity, Kgotseintsho Ramokgopa, who was appointed as Electricity Minister in March 2023. Ramokgopa said the hard work was down to the hard work and dedication of the energy sector, SA Gov News reported.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of all those involved in the energy sector. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Eskom, its competent employees, and all stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that we maintain a consistent power supply for our nation,” Ramokgopa said.
He added that the absence of load shedding enhances South Africa’s economy and businesses and improves the quality of life for all South Africans. He encouraged all South Africans to celebrate the milestone and remain committed to improving energy output.
“Together, we can build a resilient and efficient energy sector that meets the needs of our country now and in the future. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this achievement. Let us strive to maintain this positive momentum in our quest for energy sovereignty,” Ramokgopa concluded.
“We remain committed to improving the current business while laying the groundwork for future opportunities and initiatives. We will continue to seize every opportunity presented by industry changes for the benefit of all our stakeholders. The pace of change is rapid, and we are prepared to deliver on the future through improved implementation and disciplined execution.” Eskom concluded.
STATEMENT ON 100TH CONSECUTIVE DAY OF NO LOAD-SHEDDING MILESTONE pic.twitter.com/XcnbIt5eHn
— Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (@Kgosientsho_R) July 5, 2024
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Picture: X/@Eskom_SA
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
