100 days of no load shedding should be encouraging for future energy security - Ramaphosa

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the more than 100 days of no load shedding should provide the encouragement to ensure energy security into the future.

However, Ramaphosa also cautioned that the system remains vulnerable and they can't yet rule out the possibility of a return of further load shedding.

Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa credited the improvement to Eskom's generation operational recovery plan and maintenance.

The president also says as the Government of National Unity (GNU) begins its work, it will have to sustain the current momentum. 

While some people have experienced random power cuts or load reduction in places like Johannesburg, Eskom has gone for over 100 days without any outages. 

Ramaphosa said Eskom's improvement over the last three months is also due to the implementation of the Energy Action Plan which was initiated in July 2022.

He said the country was witnessing some of the results of the plan and cooperation between government, business and other social partners.

The president said Eskom’s stepped-up maintenance has seen a marked improvement in the performance of the power stations that produce the bulk of South Africa’s electricity.
 
Ramaphosa said the improvement is also a boost to the national economy, which is reliant on the availability and reliability of electricity supply for growth.