Durban — Electricity Minister, Kgotsientso Ramokgopa, welcomed the Chinese ambassador to South Africa, Mr. Chen Xiaodong, as they delivered extra generators to help alleviate the country’s energy crisis.
Earlier this week, Eskom announced stage 6 load shedding due to depleting emergency reserves, after faults at major energy reserves meant the reserve grid was overworked. Eskom also blamed the rising temperatures across the country for the overexertion on the energy grid.
However, Ramokgopa said there is a plan to announce a new generation capacity plan in an effort to with the ongoing electricity crisis and was in KZN this week to receive extra generators as part of China’s promise to assist the country with energy.
Mr. Chen Xiaodong arrived at the Eskom Howick warehouse to handover 450 gasoline generators, with a second shipment set to arrive in a few weeks, that will consist of a 150kw diesel generator, power vehicle generators and off-grid photovoltaic energy storage power supply systems.
Receiving the People’s Republic of China represented by the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Mr. Chen Xiaodong at the Eskom Howick warehouse ahead of the handover ceremony of the 450 gasoline generators. #LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/HpylILDkH0
— Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (@Kgosientsho_R) November 30, 2023
Ramokgopa added that there would be other energy generation capacity that the country would need to rely on, especially during the times of load shedding, saying they cannot rely on Eskom alone, as reported by EWN.
“You need additional generation capacity, and we will make that determination. I think in the coming seven days or so, so that we can ensure there is energy security in the country,” he said.
“The generators will be used as backup to alleviate the impacts of load shedding in the delivery of services in clinics, schools and courts whilst government continues to implement the EAP to ultimately end load shedding and create sustainable energy security,” Ramokgopa wrote on X.
The generators will be used as backup to alleviate the impacts of load shedding in the delivery of services in clinics, schools and courts whilst government continues to implement the EAP to ultimately end load shedding and create sustainable energy security#LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/4pHScnNLKg
— Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (@Kgosientsho_R) November 30, 2023
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Picture: X/@Kgotsientsho_R
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
