‘Current energy surplus ensures no load shedding in near future’

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Energy expert Gaopalelwe Santswere says there is no predicted load shedding in the near future.

He says this is because Eskom is producing more megawatts of electricity than what the country needs. This follows a media briefing by the Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on Eskom’s distribution and generation capacity.

Santswere says the expected return to operation of Unit 2 from the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station makes it even more unlikely that South Africans are going to experience load shedding this winter.

”We don’t foresee that happening at this time. Currently, it appears that winter will pass without load shedding. We require 29 000 megawatts, and they have managed to exceed 32 000 megawatts, indicating there will be no load shedding in the next three months. If all goes well, [Koeberg] Unit 2 will come back online, adding another 920 megawatts, which will ensure we have sufficient electricity.”

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the country enjoyed 100 days since Eskom last implemented load shedding, the first time this has happened since 2020.

The power utility said the milestone reflects the enhanced reliability and performance of its generation fleet.

Energy Expert Chris Yelland has applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa for appointing a Minister of Electricity and setting up the national electricity crisis committee.

Yeland says energy security is of paramount importance for the country.