Intense load shedding risks 'overthrow of the state' - Mantashe
Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says the continuous power cuts by Eskom have the potential to overthrow the state.
Eskom implemented stage 6 load shedding on Wednesday until Friday, with stage 5 kicking in on Saturday.
The power utility postponed its planned long-term maintenance at Koeberg Unit 1 to avoid a total collapse of the grid last night.
Mantashe was speaking at the signing ceremony of 13 new independent power projects under REIPPPP Bid Window 6 in Pretoria on Thursday.
READ: Gordhan urges Eskom board get SA out of stage 6
"Eskom has 48 000MW connected but at best it gives us 26 000MW, that where the gap is. If Eskom can attend to that then we can have solution sooner than we expect, if it is not attended society will not be happy, any other government could be overthrown as a result of load shedding, Eskom, by not attending to load shedding, is actively agitating for the overthrow of the state.
"The department has completed the evaluation of Bid Window 6 of which 5 preferred bidders were appointed amounting to 860 MW. Kutlwano Solar Power, Boitumelo Solar Power, Doornhoek PV all in North West and Virginia Solar Park, Good Hope Solar Park in Free State."
Once completed, these projects are expected to add around 975 megawatts to the national grid.
