Loadshedding

Minister of Electricity to Provide Load Shedding Status Update

Published

9 months ago

September 5, 2023

Minister of Electricity to Provide Load Shedding Status Update

On Tuesday morning, the Minister of Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is set to provide the nation with an update on the status and performance of the electricity grid. This update comes in the wake of an abrupt escalation to Stage 6 load shedding, a distressing development that has raised concerns about the stability of South Africa’s power supply as reported by Eyewitness News.

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According to the power utility Eskom, the severe implementation of Stage 6 load shedding is necessitated by a combination of planned maintenance and the unfortunate loss of two crucial generation units on the preceding day.

Eskom’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, shed light on the situation, revealing that a series of events led to this critical load shedding stage. Beginning on Sunday, generating units at both the Kriel and Medupi power stations were compelled to be taken offline for essential repairs. This decision to halt operations was undoubtedly a proactive measure to ensure these power stations’ continued reliability and safety.

Concurrently, Eskom made commendable progress in resolving issues at other power stations. During the same period, a generating unit at Arnot, Kendal, Kriel, and Lethabo power stations was successfully returned to service, bolstering the available capacity.

However, the delay in restoring a generating unit each at Hendrina and Tutuka power stations has compounded the ongoing capacity constraints. Eskom’s dedicated teams are working diligently and relentlessly to expedite the process of bringing these generating units back into service, which is crucial for alleviating the current strain on the electricity grid.

The upcoming update from Minister Ramokgopa is awaited with keen interest, as it will shed light on the immediate challenges facing the electricity sector and outline strategies to mitigate the impact of load shedding on the daily lives of South Africans. The ongoing efforts of Eskom to restore generating units and undertake essential maintenance underscore the organisation’s commitment to ensuring a stable and sustainable electricity supply for the nation.