Festive load shedding outlook ‘upbeat’ says Ramokgopa

Ramokgopa was giving the latest update on the energy grid in Tshwane on Thursday, following nearly seven days of relief from rolling blackouts. 

“So, the available generation capacity is sitting at 27, 700 megawatts and the demand is averaging about 24,695 megawatts and that’s why you are not seeing load shedding. 

“We are working behind the scenes, we are aggressive with maintenance, and the system is performing,” he said. 

He said while he can't guarantee the uninterrupted exceptional performance of the generating units, the outlook for the next two weeks is promising. 

“I can’t guarantee that that won’t happen – it’s important that I make that statement – but the outlook in the short term, and by short-term I at mean between now and the next two weeks or so, looks upbeat.” 

The minister also said the country can't keep burning diesel to keep the lights on while government works on a sustainable solution to the energy crisis. 

Ramokgopa said Eskom has managed to keep the lights on due to low demands as economic activity slows over the festive period.  

“It’s unsustainable, its expensive to the fiscus although it averts the intensity of load shedding. It's an untenable situation that we burn and burn diesel to keep the lights on.”

Meanwhile, the utility’s head of generation Bheki Nxumalo said the grid was looking healthier this December, compared to last year. 

“Last year this time around we were hovering around stages 5 and 6 so inherently the diesel [usage] will be higher. The minister has indicated that if you look at the past week, more so during peak hours and in the evening, we haven’t burned any diesel at all. So, this is year is quite less than what we were in December.” 

Last year load shedding was suspended over Christmas, but Eskom reneged on its promise to keep the lights on, on New Year's Eve.