South Africa’s Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has denied reports that Eskom implemented Stage 8 loadshedding last week, insisting that Stage 6 was the highest level implemented to his knowledge.
Electricity Minister clueless about Stage 8 loadshedding
However, energy availability data from last week showed that, in fact, Eskom shed 7 072MW from the grid, putting it above the Stage 8 threshold of between 7 001MW to 8 000MW.
Ramokgopa, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ANC’s national working committee meeting in Polokwane, said he was not aware of Eskom’s alleged silent implementation of Stage 8 loadshedding.
He claimed was engaging with Eskom and would report any grid deterioration to the public directly.
“I did indicate from the onset of my responsibilities that I am going to be very honest, transparent and brutally honest with the South African public. I had indicated that if there is any degree of deterioration of the grid I’ll communicate that directly with the South African public,” he insisted in a statement quoted by Times Live.
Ramokgopa confirms Eskom is finalising winter plan
Ramokgopa also revealed that he met with Eskom’s board and Public Enterprises minister, Pravin Gordhan, last week to discuss the winter plan.
The plan is aimed at addressing the expected increase in demand, which should rise between 30 000MW to 37 000MW.
According to the winter plan presented to him, Eskom is still on Stage 6 loadshedding. The electricity minister confirmed that some units were still tripping, but expressed confidence in the country’s ability to address prolonged power outages beyond the winter period.
Eskom implemented Stage 6 loadshedding on Monday and announced that it would continue until 05:00 on Tuesday, 18 April 2023.
Stage 5 loadshedding would be implemented until 16:00, and Stage 6 loadshedding would then resume from 16:00 until 05:00 daily. Eskom stated that this pattern would continue until further notice.
At the time this article was published, breakdowns amounted to 17 325 MW of generating capacity, while planned maintenance stood at 5,457 MW.
Eskom said that it had returned generation units at Camden, Koeberg, and Medupi power stations to service.