Minister reassures South Africans that the withdrawal of the Electricity State of Disaster won’t affect load shedding resolution

The withdrawn National State of Disaster on Electricity and its regulations will have no impact on the ongoing work of the Ministry of Electricity, says Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Despite the government’s formal withdrawal of the state of disaster on electricity on Wednesday, the minister assures South Africans that his team will continue with their efforts in reducing the severity of load shedding and its regularity.

Ramokgopa revealed that extensive visits have been done to Eskom power stations, enabling them to comprehend at a granular level what it will take to respond comprehensively. Despite the termination of the National State of Disaster, the ministry’s aim to accelerate the delivery of new electricity generation – particularly from renewable energy sources will not be affected, he said.

Ramokgopa emphasizes the ministry’s readiness to utilize provisions on procurement on an emergency basis, as stipulated in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), allowing for deviations addressing harm against critical infrastructure. He affirms that the termination of the National State of Disaster has a negligible impact on that.

The government’s termination of this National State of Disaster on Electricity and its circumstances does not mean a lapse in addressing the critical issue of load shedding, as efforts toward resolving it continue despite the formal removal of the regulations. South Africans can expect further progress on the government’s plans to initiate new renewable energy generation, bringing us one step closer to a load shedding-free South Africa.

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