Cape Town – Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says it is impossible to end the country’s electricity crisis by the end of the year.
“I would want to sit here and tell the country that load shedding will end tomorrow, unfortunately, that’s not possible.
“It is also not technically possible to end load shedding by the end of the 2023 calendar year, and that’s why we are at pains to illustrate the kind of steps that we are taking to ensure it is not as severe and keep the economy going,” The Citizen quoted Ramakgopa as saying during a press briefing on the sidelines of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg on Saturday.
Ramokgopa’s remarks contradicted those of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who said in January that load shedding will stop in December.
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced that it’s not possible to end loadshedding by the end of the year. Ramokgopa also acknowledged that the party is responsible for the load shedding crisis. @ZiyandaNgcobo has more.
Watch: https://t.co/q1JP51gmEK pic.twitter.com/rv00fk0k7E
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 22, 2023
The minister said several interventions were being implemented, including the addition of 4 000 megawatts of power to the grid in the next six months, EWN reported.
“4 500 MW relieves us of that pressure, five interventions and then six to 18 months conservatively 12 500 MW… there’s a multiplicity of interventions, about eight of them that are possible.”
Earlier this week, Ramokgopa presented his energy action plan during a Cabinet meeting where both long and short-term plans were discussed.
The discussions took place on Wednesday and was convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The meeting discussed short- and medium-term measures to ensure energy security, taking into account our immediate energy needs. The Cabinet noted the presentation by Minister Ramokgopa and directed that a further assessment of the electricity situation and measures to be taken be addressed at the next Necom (National Energy Crisis Committee) meeting that will be convened as speedily as possible,” IOL quoted acting government spokesperson Michael Currin as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
