Eskom to add 2,500MW by August, but load shedding still looms – Ramokgopa

Load shedding

Cape Town – Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced that the South African power grid is set to receive a boost by the end of August.

Ramokgopa said that Medupi Unit 4 and Kusile Unit 6 are expected to add 800MW each, while an extension of Koeberg Unit 2 could contribute an additional 980MW, totaling an expected 2,500MW increase from Eskom’s fleet.

He was speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday.

“We are expecting Medupi Unit 4 to give us 800MW [megawatts] and to fire up Kusile Unit 6, which is another 800MW. We are hoping to get an extension of life of Koeberg Unit 2… We are not complacent. We are doing everything by the book and we are still optimistic about getting that extension of life, and it will give us an additional 980MW.

“We do expect that by the end of August this year, just from the Eskom fleet, we should be getting an additional 2 500MW,” he said.

Despite this progress, Ramokgopa cautioned that load shedding is not yet over.

“I really want to caution that load shedding is not behind us. In the next three weeks or so Eskom will be sharing what the summer outlook is. We are still buoyant about the performance of these generation plants.

“Having said that, we need to caution against any early declaration to decree load shedding as behind us. We do everything possible to resolve this question but the numbers do indicate that we are within touching distance,” Ramokgopa said.

He highlighted improvements at Tutuka, Kendal, and Kriel power stations, noting significant reductions in unplanned capacity loss factors.

The Minister emphasised the importance of continued efforts and leadership changes in driving these improvements.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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