Ramokgopa says SA generating surplus electricity
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa says Eskom is generating more electricity than the country needs due to the recovery of Medupi Power Station.
Speaking on the sidelines during his oversight at the Medupi power station in Limpopo on Tuesday, the minister said the power station is performing at 83%.
The station contributes 800 megawatts to the national grid.
The unit had been offline since August 2021 after sustaining significant damage from the explosion of its Generator Stator.
“So the generation far exceeds what the demand is, especially during this part of the day. When we are here now, the six units they had to bring generation down because there's too much on the grid. And thanks to the efforts that we are making with regard to renewables,” said Ramokgopa.
“So we're in good space. But remember to answer the question on energy security, we must have enough headroom to meet the expectations of a growing economy.
“But also that headroom must accommodate, be able to absorb any major failures of the units, if they were to happen, we can accommodate and absorb that failure. We’ve build shock absorbers and the lights continue to be on.”
While the country has not experienced load shedding in over four months, Ramokgopa expressed concerns over Matimba Power Station outside Lephalale.
READ: NCOP approves R230bn Eskom Debt Relief Bill
Ramokgopa said the technical challenges at the Matimba were responsible for the last two instances of load shedding.
“Matimba used to be one of our best-performing power stations, with exceptional performance. And we had seen during that period of April and May that we had lost a number of units, three units or so, and they were not coming back on time."
The minister said he was confident that Matimba would return to full performance.
He also addressed the issue of electricity prices, saying it is an issue he is working on.
Electricity prices in South Africa have risen at nearly four times the rate of inflation over the past 25 years, leaving millions of unemployed and low-income citizens struggling to afford necessities.
“As I speak to you now, a lot of households are out of pocket. They are eroding their disposable income as a result of the exponential rise in electricity prices. It's a policy matter which I'm addressing.
“I'll come out and say to the country, these are the interventions that we are making. But you need to make sure that the electricity is on the grid. And then going forward, make sure that that quality of electricity is such that it is affordable to the main.”
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