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Picture courtesy: (SA government- Facebook)
(The Post News)– As South Africa approaches the polls in a few weeks, the nation has witnessed an unprecedented period of electrical stability. The Electricity Minister, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has provided an update on the Energy Action Plan, marking 40 days without load shedding. This milestone comes at a critical time, as voters consider the performance of the current administration. Dr. Ramokgopa, in a recent briefing, highlighted the strides made in the delivery of the Energy Action Plan unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2022.
The Minister began with a stark reminder of the challenges faced, stating, “The past 40 days have tested our resilience as a nation.” He then unveiled a comprehensive strategy designed to not only restore power but also to ensure sustainable energy production for the future. “We are accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources, and by 2025, we aim to increase our solar and wind capacity by 50%,” the Minister declared.
Minister of the Eskom action plan
The action plan includes immediate and long-term measures, such as the importation of mobile power generators to provide temporary relief and the construction of new power plants. “At least half of the actions set out in the Energy Action Plan are either completed or on track,” he stated, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving the nation’s energy infrastructure.Eskom, the state-owned power company, has been at the centre of this achievement. The utility has seen a 65 percent increase in the energy availability factor and a significant reduction in unplanned outages over the past 12 months.
This improvement has been attributed to the successful implementation of the Generation Operational Recovery plan initiated in March 2023. However, the minister did not shy away from addressing the setbacks. “We are at 56% of our targeted goals,” he revealed, indicating a slower than desired pace.Jan Oberholzer, a former Eskom executive, criticised the current state of affairs, stating, “It’s just talk, talk, talk on SA grid crisis.”
His remarks reflect a sentiment that despite the apparent progress, there remains a skepticism about the long-term sustainability of the current energy solutions.The Electricity Minister has dismissed claims that the end of power cuts is related to electioneering. “When the team was making these efforts, when we ramped up planned maintenance in December and January, little did we know that there would be a big date with ballots,” Dr. Ramokgopa explained, addressing concerns of political motivation behind the timing of these developments.
Eskom’s performance has also been under scrutiny due to its financial challenges. The company has taken legal action against City Power over an outstanding debt of nearly R1.1 billion, which threatens its ability to meet Johannesburg’s growing electricity demands. This legal battle underscores the broader financial difficulties facing Eskom and the impact on its operational capabilities.Despite these challenges, the nation has seen a structural improvement in relation to generation.
“We are in the silly season, talking about the election season,” Dr. Ramokgopa said, “there will be a number of extrapolations and interpretations of what is before us, whether there’s a correlation of these improvements and the May 29 elections.” He remains focused on providing weekly updates on the progress being made, maintaining transparency with the public.As voters head to the polls, the question remains: Is the current stability in power supply a sign of genuine progress, or a temporary reprieve?
The answer may influence the outcome of the upcoming elections, as energy remains a pivotal issue for the South African electorate.The 40-day streak without load shedding represents a significant achievement for Eskom and the South African government. As Dr. Ramokgopa remarked, “The path to energy stability is complex, but we are steadfast in our journey to light up South Africa once more.”
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