Loadshedding

Ramokgopa: South Africa to Persist with Lower Levels of Load Shedding

Published

9 months ago

August 28, 2023

As South Africa continues its efforts to address the country’s energy emergency and achieve lower levels of load shedding, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced that recent agreements with Chinese state-owned entities and a generous donation from China will play a pivotal role in this endeavour.

During the 15th BRICS Summit, South Africa and Chinese state-owned entities made several substantial agreements. President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping witnessed two overarching memoranda underpinning these agreements.

Minister Ramokgopa, speaking at a press briefing on the Energy Action Plan, highlighted that the agreements encompass various aspects, including advancing green energy solutions, harnessing renewable energy sources, and integrating modern technology.

The first agreement focuses on green energy solutions. It involves a partnership enabling the exploitation of renewable energy sources within South Africa. This collaboration is particularly significant due to China’s prominence in the global renewable energy landscape, boasting an installed capacity of 688 gigawatts derived from a combination of photovoltaic (PV) and wind sources. China’s extensive experience in transmission expansion and modernisation aligns to accommodate the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.

Also read: Gauteng Sets January 2024 Deadline to End Load Shedding

Furthermore, a donation from China will serve as a crucial support mechanism for addressing emergency energy needs in vital public facilities, including police stations, health institutions, and correctional centres. The donation will facilitate the implementation of essential technology solutions to enhance energy security and resilience in these facilities.

The initial shipment of technology solutions is en route, with comprehensive details to unveil upon arrival.

Minister Ramokgopa expressed optimism regarding the stabilisation of South Africa’s energy system. This development will reduce load-shedding instances as the recovery process progresses.

Providing insights into the current state of load shedding, the Minister indicated that the government’s confidence in the system’s stabilisation has translated into lower stages of load shedding. He cited noteworthy progress from a historic low of 48% energy availability factor to an average of 60%. The Minister also highlighted that the intensity of load shedding has declined, with outage slips decreasing from a high of 3,300 megawatts to 766 megawatts.

China’s recent agreements and donations are poised to address South Africa’s energy emergency and foster the nation’s transition toward sustainable and resilient energy solutions.

Source: SA to continue to have lower stages of load shedding – Ramokgopa

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