https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230626/south-africas-electricity-minister-hails-progress-in-reducing-power-outages-1060165079.html
South Africa's Electricity Minister Hails Progress in Reducing Power Outages
South Africa's Electricity Minister Hails Progress in Reducing Power Outages
Sputnik Africa
The country is facing an energy crisis with rolling blackouts and energy rationing for households and businesses implemented by state-owned utility firm Eskom... 26.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-26T12:14+0200
2023-06-26T12:14+0200
2023-06-26T12:14+0200
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South Africa's Minister for Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has pointed to the progress his department made in addressing rolling blackouts and improving the situation in the country. While giving an update on the energy crisis, the minister stated that the country is currently experiencing stage three power cuts in the evenings. He also highlighted a steady improvement in the energy availability factor (EAF) at several Eskom's power stations. Ramokgopa further elaborated that with the resumption of Units 1, 2 and 3 at the Kusile Power station, the EAF at Eskom would continue improving and come close to the 70% targeted level. He noted that the ministry anticipates reaching targeted EAF levels, set as part of the efforts to reduce the crippling outages, earlier than initially expected.He also stated that his department is intending to reduce electricity demand by 1,000 megawatts in the next six months, noting that this program aimed at improving energy efficiency is on track, and further details would be announced later.Ramokgopa underscored that over R200 billion (about $10.8 billion) is needed to upgrade transmission grid infrastructure in order to strengthen the country’s power grid and incorporate future renewable projects. He added that "creative ways" would be sought to attract financing from the private sector. At the same time, at a briefing of the National Energy Crisis Committee, Eskom Executive Eric Shunmagum stated that there had been a 3,000-megawatt improvement. He explained that the main reasons for the lower rates of rolling blackouts include fewer breakdowns at Eskom's plants and less demand. For several years, the nation has been facing daily power outages at peak times, hampering the economic growth and interfering with every part of people's life. In February, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared "a national state of disaster" to overcome the electricity crisis. Even though the state of disaster was terminated in April, households and businesses continued to face regular power cuts.In March, Ramaphosa appointed Ramokgopa to the newly-created post of electricity minister in a bid to find a viable solution to the energy crisis.
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southern africa, south africa, electricity, energy, energy crisis, blackouts, cyril ramaphosa, eskom
southern africa, south africa, electricity, energy, energy crisis, blackouts, cyril ramaphosa, eskom
South Africa's Electricity Minister Hails Progress in Reducing Power Outages
The country is facing an energy crisis with rolling blackouts and energy rationing for households and businesses implemented by state-owned utility firm Eskom. Authorities repeatedly indicated that the ongoing crisis has considerably disrupted the nation's economic development.
South Africa's Minister for Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has pointed to the progress his department made in addressing rolling blackouts and improving the situation in the country.
While giving an update on the energy crisis, the minister stated that the country is currently experiencing stage three power cuts in the evenings. He also highlighted a steady
improvement in the energy availability factor (EAF) at several Eskom's power stations.
"We have on average about six stations, energy availability factor of which is now exceeding 70% [...]. So you can see there is a consistent improvement," he said.
Ramokgopa further elaborated that with the resumption of Units 1, 2 and 3 at the Kusile Power station, the EAF at Eskom would continue improving and come close to the 70% targeted level. He noted that the ministry anticipates reaching targeted EAF levels, set as part of the efforts to reduce the crippling outages, earlier than initially expected.
"We are getting much closer to the target that we set, we are beginning to achieve that significantly earlier than what we had promised," the minister added.
He also stated that his department is intending to reduce electricity demand by 1,000 megawatts in the next six months, noting that this program aimed at improving energy efficiency is on track, and further details would be announced later.
Ramokgopa underscored that over R200 billion (about $10.8 billion) is
needed to upgrade transmission grid infrastructure in order to strengthen the country’s power grid and incorporate future renewable projects. He added that "creative ways" would be sought to attract financing from the private sector.
At the same time, at a briefing of the National Energy Crisis Committee,
Eskom Executive Eric Shunmagum stated that there had been a 3,000-megawatt improvement. He explained that the main reasons for the lower rates of rolling blackouts include fewer breakdowns at Eskom's plants and less demand.
For several years, the nation has been facing daily power outages at peak times, hampering the economic growth and interfering with every part of people's life. In February, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared "a national state of disaster" to
overcome the electricity crisis. Even though the state of disaster was terminated in April, households and businesses continued to face regular power cuts.
In March, Ramaphosa appointed Ramokgopa to the newly-created post of electricity minister in a bid to find a viable solution to the energy crisis.
