Zuko Komisa

- Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed that Eskom is on the verge of overcoming its load shedding crisis.
- The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has dramatically improved, now averaging over 60%, a significant increase from last year’s 49%.
- The grid is now stable, with unplanned outages remaining low and Eskom even generating a surplus of electricity at times.
Electricity and Energy Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has offered a glimmer of hope to a load shedding-fatigued nation, asserting that South Africa is on the path to energy security.
In a recent media briefing, the Minister’s message was clear: Eskom’s performance has improved dramatically, and the end of power cuts is in sight.
Ramokgopa presented compelling data to support his claims, noting that the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has soared to an impressive average of 60.14% since April, a significant leap from the 49% low of 2023.
This improved performance has resulted in South Africa enjoying a reprieve from load shedding since May, a feat the Minister attributes to the unwavering commitment of Eskom’s dedicated staff.
The Minister’s confidence is not just based on past performance but on the current stability of the grid.
He revealed that unplanned outages have been consistently low, averaging around 10 880 MW over the past week, well below the 13 000 MW threshold. He also highlighted a new, positive development: Eskom is now producing more electricity than is demanded during certain periods, forcing them to place some power units into cold reserve.
Ramokgopa sees this surplus as a crucial milestone, providing the necessary “headroom” for the economy to grow. He concluded with a resolute message, “We are marching and we are going to get out of the woods,” assuring the public that the government is delivering on its promise to resolve the country’s most pressing crisis.
READ NEXT: DIRCO expresses ‘profound disappointment’ of ‘inaccurate’ US human rights report



