WATCH | Ramakgopa prioritises tackling energy poverty and gas shortages

Ramokgopa

Cape Town — Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa has outlined the priorities for South Africa’s newly merged energy portfolios, emphasising the critical need to address the challenge of energy poverty, where electricity is available but unaffordable for many citizens.

“I think one of the priorities is to address the pricing plan or strategy in the country in relation to electricity because we are experiencing conditions of what I refer to as energy poverty.

“Electricity is there, but people can’t afford it. They can’t buy the units; they are not familiar with what it takes for this tariff structure to sky rocket the manner that it is,” the minister said during an interview with eNCA. 

Ramakgopa also highlighted South Africa’s gas shortage as another pressing issue that needs attention.

Deputy Electricity and Energy Minister Samantha Graham echoed Ramakgopa’s sentiments, noting that the department’s primary focus will be on improving energy availability and supporting Eskom.

She stressed the importance of continuing efforts to maintain the recent progress in reducing load shedding.

“The energy crisis has been one of the biggest issues that we face as a country. It has impacted everybody in every sphere of their life, so it definitely remains one of the key portfolios we have to address going forward,” Graham told Newzroom Afrika.

“We have had a long period without load shedding; clearly what the minister has put in place so far is working. The new Eskom board seems to be doing a fantastic job. I think our focus now has to be obviously keeping the energy availability factor high.”

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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