South Africa has achieved an impressive milestone: 272 consecutive days without load-shedding, marking its longest uninterrupted power supply in five years. Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, highlighted the achievement at a media briefing in Pretoria, attributing the success to Eskom’s improved efficiency and robust leadership.
Billions saved amid power stability
The uninterrupted power has brought not only relief but also economic benefits. ‘This milestone has saved over 16 billion rand (about $870 million),’ said Ramokgopa. South Africa’s energy availability factor (EAF) — a critical metric of power plant efficiency — has climbed to 62.5 percent from 55.4 percent last year.
‘We aim to push the EAF to 70 percent by 2025 to fuel economic growth and inspire confidence in our economy and investments. Eskom’s transformation is key to achieving this,’ he added.
A boost for business and manufacturing
Reliable electricity is essential for South Africa’s manufacturing and production sectors. Ramokgopa emphasised, ‘to remain competitive locally and internationally, consistent power supply is non-negotiable.’
However, the national grid’s capacity remains a concern. Limited space for integrating electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) hampers efforts to diversify supply sources.
Private sector to play bigger role
To address this bottleneck, Ramokgopa announced plans for an independent transmission pilot programme set for February 2025. This initiative will invite private sector participation to expand grid capacity.
South Africa is already expecting an additional 2,500 MW from IPPs, with more units set to become operational by 2025. ‘Our goal is to end load-shedding completely before the current administration’s term concludes,’ Ramokgopa said, offering a hopeful glimpse into the future.
Powering economic confidence
This power stability has far-reaching implications for South Africa’s economy. By reducing disruptions, it positions the country as a more reliable investment destination, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.
As Eskom continues its turnaround and IPPs prepare to augment the grid, South Africa appears on track to cement its energy resilience and economic competitiveness.
Credit: Africabriefing
