https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230709/south-african-energy-crisis-may-be-resolved-sooner-than-anticipated-electricity-minister-says-1060440003.html
South African Energy Crisis May Be Resolved Sooner Than Anticipated, Electricity Minister Says
South African Energy Crisis May Be Resolved Sooner Than Anticipated, Electricity Minister Says
Sputnik Africa
Earlier this week, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa's minister in the presidency responsible for electricity, stated that the country, which has experienced... 09.07.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-07-09T18:59+0200
2023-07-09T18:59+0200
2023-07-09T21:39+0200
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South Africa is able to put an end to the power crisis and considerably reduce the intensity of the rolling blackouts earlier than expected, said Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa at a media briefing in Pretoria, giving an update on the energy crisis.Ramokgopa was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the newly-created post of electricity minister in March in a bid to find a viable solution to the energy crisis, which has long been affecting the country's economy and the daily life of citizens.According to the electricity minister, as of now, energy availability in the country has increased to almost 70%. Earlier this year, the energy availability factor (EAF) had reached historically low levels of less than 50% due to frequent breakdowns at coal-fired plants owned by state power utility Eskom.The minister noted that improved generation capacity means that the authorities can also focus on carrying out planned maintenance.Since 2008, the state utility started to impose daily scheduled blackouts, called load-shedding, to safeguard the grid whenever demand exceeds supply. Since the beginning of 2023, those blackouts have intensified, with regular outages lasting as long as 12 hours daily. However, in recent weeks, the power cuts have been reduced to around two hours a day.Last month, at a briefing of the National Energy Crisis Committee, Eskom Executive Eric Shunmagum pointed to increasing energy efficiency, stating 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.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230626/south-africas-electricity-minister-hails-progress-in-reducing-power-outages-1060165079.html
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South African Energy Crisis May Be Resolved Sooner Than Anticipated, Electricity Minister Says
18:59 09.07.2023 (Updated: 21:39 09.07.2023) Earlier this week, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa's minister in the presidency responsible for electricity, stated that the country, which has experienced crippling electricity outages in recent months, will "survive" this winter season due to a significant improvement in generation.
South Africa is able to put an end to the
power crisis and considerably reduce the intensity of the rolling blackouts earlier than expected, said Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa at a media briefing in Pretoria, giving an update on the energy crisis.
"I said when I started this assignment, we will resolve load-shedding and I think that we will resolve it much quicker than we had anticipated," he stated.
Ramokgopa was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the newly-created post of electricity minister in March in a bid to find a viable solution to the energy crisis, which has long been affecting the country's economy and the daily life of citizens.
According to the electricity minister, as of now, energy availability in the country has increased to almost 70%. Earlier this year, the energy availability factor (EAF) had reached historically low levels of less than 50% due to frequent breakdowns at coal-fired
plants owned by state power utility Eskom.
The minister noted that improved generation capacity means that the authorities can also focus on carrying out planned maintenance.
Since 2008, the state utility started to impose daily scheduled blackouts, called load-shedding, to safeguard the grid whenever demand exceeds supply. Since the beginning of 2023, those blackouts have intensified, with regular outages lasting as long as 12 hours daily. However, in
recent weeks, the power cuts have been reduced to around two hours a day.
Last month, at a briefing of the National Energy Crisis Committee,
Eskom Executive Eric Shunmagum pointed to increasing energy efficiency, stating 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.
