Minister Ramokgopa Confirms Decrease in Load-Shedding Intensity

Easing Power Cuts Signal Improvement in Energy Management

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Key Highlights:

• Positive Trends: Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports a noticeable decrease in load-shedding intensity across South Africa.
• Record Break: A 13-day hiatus marks the longest period without load-shedding this year, signaling progress in energy stability.

Strategic Efforts:

• Operational Success: Planned maintenance and adept Eskom management are credited for the reduction in load-shedding frequency.
• Media Briefing Insights: During a recent update, Ramokgopa outlined ongoing strategies to combat the energy crisis.

Comparative Data:

• Yearly Improvement: Comparing March 2023 to the same period in the current financial year, there’s a significant drop in higher-stage load-shedding occurrences.
• Stage Analysis: Most power cuts this year were at Stage 1 and 2, showing a shift from the more severe outages of the previous year.

Challenges Remain:

• Workforce Woes: Despite strides in reducing outages, Eskom faces hurdles like the loss of skilled personnel.
• Capacity Concerns: Ramokgopa emphasizes that Eskom alone cannot remedy the load-shedding issue; broader generation capacity enhancements are necessary.

Minister’s Assurance:

• Ongoing Commitment: “The improvement that the country is experiencing is not by accident; it was an investment made by competent Eskom management,” stated Ramokgopa.
• Holistic Approach Needed: The solution requires more than just Eskom’s efforts, highlighting the need for additional power sources to ensure long-term stability.

As South Africa navigates its complex energy landscape, these updates from Minister Ramokgopa provide a hopeful outlook on the future of the nation’s electricity supply, underscored by strategic planning and essential infrastructural investments.