Cape Town – Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says Eskom has increased planned maintenance of its power stations, leading to stage 3 and 4 load shedding.
During the summer months, maintenance efforts have been intensified, with a significant loss of 2,500MW to 3,000MW during winter rising to 7,000MW on December 8.
“That means there’s an additional 4 000MW that has been taken [off the grid],” The Citizen quoted Ramokgopa as saying.
Additionally, Eskom has reduced the use of open-cycle gas turbines, making a conscious decision to be more judicious with diesel consumption.
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the country is experiencing stages three and four rolling blackouts due to Eskom ramping up planned maintenance. https://t.co/yRDzYBLllM
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 10, 2023
Despite the challenges, the the minister said that pump storage facilities are in good condition, offering some relief.
“They (pump storage facilities) are in a good state and that’s why Eskom was able to announce some degree of reprieve – and we really think that if we keep to this, we shouldn’t see any degree of significant deterioration [and] we shouldn’t see an intensification of load shedding.”
Meanwhile, according to Moneyweb, Ramokgopa revealed that the government is seeking legal interpretation of a High Court order instructing him to ensure that all police stations, public schools, clinics, and hospitals are load-shedding-free by January 31, 2024.
The court order also placed blame on the government for the electricity crisis over nearly 30 years.
Ramokgopa is determining whether the deadline is for providing a feasibility execution plan or the execution itself.
[WATCH] “We have no intention of making an argument that seeks to suggest that we don’t carry a constitutional obligation”- Electricity Minister Dr Kogosientsho Ramokgopa responding to the Court’s ruling that load shedding is a violation of constitutional rights. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/FoHCUgZOTB
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 10, 2023
The government aims to spare essential institutions from load shedding, even without the court order, and is assessing budget sources for the required actions.
[WATCH] “We do accept that load shedding has adverse impact on our ability to deliver, our constitutional obligation” – Electricity Minister Dr
Kogosientsho Ramokgopa responding to the Court’s ruling that load shedding is a violation of constitutional rights. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/DWDo37k3MO— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 10, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Kgotientsho_R
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
