No loadshedding for the rest of winter, says minister

Electricity and Energy minister, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says no load-shedding is expected for the rest of the winter season, due to the recent improvements to the national grid.

Ramokgopa addressed the media in Tshwane today, providing an update on grid performance and progress in stabilising the power supply.

The minister has credited the return to service of Kusile Unit 6 and Medupi Unit 4, for the consistent power supply this winter.

He says the system is stable enough to feed the country uninterrupted power supply and that Eskom will not need to spend large sums on diesel to keep the country’s lights on.

“We are in a good space. I think the trendline is positive. When we announced the winter plan we did make a point that if we keep the losses below 13 000 Mega Watts (MW) we shouldn’t be having load-shedding. I am happy that what the team at Eskom has done is exceptional, far surpassing our own expectation,” says Dr. Ramokgopa.

He says this winter, eight out of 14 power stations in the country have been doing well, with a performance rate of over 70%, while at least two stations average around 90%.

Some residents however remain skeptical.

18-year-old, Khalalelo Shadung, has recalled the agony of having to prepare for his exams in the dark, calling it an inconvenience.

Dr. Ramokgopa says his ministry is also finalising a strategy to eliminate load-reduction issues in marginalised communities by the end of this month.

Areas such as Diepsloot and Vosloorus amongst others, have been occasionally left without power.

Eskom has attributed load-reduction to illegal connections and electricity theft among other issues.

The minister raised concern over the rise in fatal electrocutions, warning residents not to tamper with infrastructure.

He says many incidents stem from illegal connections linked to persistent load-reduction.

Dr. Ramokgopa says the department is working around the clock to engage with affected communities, adding that they will roll-out infrastructure to municipalities adding that the ministry already has a template, equipment, and funding.

The minister also revealed that some Eskom officials are complicit in illegal connections, warning those involved that they will face the full might of the law.

However some Mamelodi residents, say they aren’t convinced that the load-reduction issue will be resolved any time soon.

They are cautiously taking his word, saying that it might just be one of the empty promises they get from government.

They say they endured three days without power last week and without warning – leaving them feeling undermined.

“I don’t trust anything the government says. They have disappointed us too much in the past. I just can’t trust anything they say,” says one resident.

“In the townships we don’t have electricity but people living in suburbs have electricity. It is not fair! We should all be treated equally because we all get to vote and it’s our right to complain about the electricity they keep taking from us. It’s really costing us a lot,” says another resident.

The minister further noted that a revised electricity pricing policy is being developed, acknowledging the financial struggles households face in affording electricity.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao