The suspension of load shedding over the past 12 days as of Monday, April 8, is due to the improvement in the generation capacity available.
Improvement helped to replenish energy reserves
This gradual and sustained improvement has allowed emergency reserves to be fully replenished. Something that has resulted in the suspension of load shedding.
In addition, the new acquisition of a second-hand generator stator is set to add to the relief from power woes. The generator was delivered to Medupi Power Station in March.
This is the view of Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
He was speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday at the GCIS Media Offices in Hatfield, Pretoria. The briefing was on the implementation of the ministerial energy action plan.
Load shedding suspended till further notice
Load shedding has been suspended until further notice in the country.
Ramokgopa did hasten to say that the suspension of load shedding was not a cause for his ministry and Eskom to rest on their laurels.
He said the ultimate goal is to end load shedding altogether.
Additional 2,532MW of generation by September
Ramokgopa added that the country would receive a boost of around an additional 2,532MW of generation capacity available by September. This will be due to certain generation units being returned to service.
He said Medupi Power Station’s unit 4 will be returned to service in August.
Ramokgopa said the return of this unit will lead to a 800MW “recovery milestone”.
“We bought a second-hand generator stator that has been delivered to Medupi Power Station on March 5. The unloading of the generator from the multi-aide vehicle was successfully executed on March 11. The unit is on track to be commissioned in August 2024,” he said.
Most units to be returned to service by September
Ramokgopa said Koeberg Power Station’s Unit 2 will be returned to service in September this year. He said the return to service of this unit will provide 932MW.
The minister added that Kusile Power Station’s Unit 6 will be synchronised this September.
Ramokgopa said the return to service of the unit will provide 800MW of generation capacity available.
