Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has praised Eskom for reaching a milestone of 272 consecutive days without load shedding across South Africa.
Speaking in Pretoria while outlining the implementation of the energy action plan, Ramokgopa noted that as of December 23, Eskom had achieved its longest stretch of uninterrupted power supply in five years.
“On December 23, we are recording another milestone in that we are experiencing the longest stretch of uninterrupted power supply in five years,” Ramokgopa said. He clarified that the milestone marks progress toward ending load shedding, rather than a celebration of its absence.
Load shedding is the temporary reduction or interruption of electricity supply in certain areas, often implemented when demand exceeds available supply, or when there are generation or infrastructure challenges.
Ramokgopa acknowledged the efforts of Eskom’s generation team, noting that the utility started from a very low base and has made significant progress since experiencing high-intensity load shedding in 2023.
He also linked generation performance to Eskom’s financial situation, explaining that without sufficient electricity generation, the utility cannot sell power or generate revenue. Despite recent losses, Ramokgopa said Eskom is on track to achieve a surplus of approximately R10 billion by the end of the financial year.
The milestone demonstrates a marked improvement in South Africa’s power supply stability, offering hope for continued progress in addressing the country’s energy challenges.
