Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
By Mpho Moloi
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has apologised to South Africans following Eskom’s announcement of Stage 3 loadshedding, which marks the return of rolling blackouts after more than ten months of uninterrupted electricity supply. Eskom implemented Stage 3 loadshedding at 17:00 on Friday, 31 January 2025, and it is expected to continue throughout the weekend. The power utility cited unexpected breakdowns at key power stations and scheduled maintenance as the primary reasons for the return of power cuts. Despite this setback, Minister Ramokgopa assured the nation that the government remains committed to resolving the energy crisis.
Ministerial Apology and Explanation
In a media briefing, Minister Ramokgopa expressed deep regret over the resumption of loadshedding. “Exceptionally disappointed all of us with regard to the setback, registering our profuse apology to the country. The last thing that we wanted was to have stage 3, a profuse apology, but we are on the right track,” he said. Ramokgopa explained that Eskom had been hit by a “perfect storm” of challenges, including breakdowns at the Lethabo and Matimba power stations and units offline for planned maintenance.
He acknowledged the frustration felt by citizens and businesses who had started relying on stable power. “We would have wanted a situation where we said it’s a year without load shedding,” Ramokgopa said, adding that the government’s efforts to address the structural issues within Eskom will continue.
Eskom’s Statement on Loadshedding
In its official statement, Eskom described the loadshedding as a temporary measure to replenish its emergency reserves, including Open Cycle Gas Turbines and pumped storage reserves. Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said, “This is a temporary setback, as loadshedding is largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet.”
Eskom highlighted that Stage 3 loadshedding was necessary due to a series of breakdowns that had reduced available capacity and strained emergency reserves. The utility assured the public that 3,410 MW would be returned to service by Sunday, 2 February 2025, which is expected to ease pressure on the grid.
Summer Outlook and Maintenance Progress
Eskom’s statement also addressed its Summer Outlook, which remains unchanged despite the current power cuts. The outlook, published in August 2024, projected that unplanned outages would remain below 14,000 MW, which could trigger only Stage 1 loadshedding. However, with unplanned outages currently at 13,313 MW, Eskom has managed to keep loadshedding below the worst-case scenario.
Eskom also highlighted its diesel savings, reporting that R16.30 billion had been saved between April 2024 and January 2025 due to reduced reliance on diesel-powered turbines. This saving represents a 60% reduction compared to the same period the previous year, when diesel consumption was much higher due to frequent power cuts.
Network Overloading and Community Challenges
While Eskom is focused on stabilising the grid, it continues to face challenges related to illegal connections, meter tampering, and vandalism, which cause localised network overloads. In its statement, Eskom urged the public to purchase electricity only from authorised vendors and to report any illegal activities to the Eskom Crime Line.
Public Reaction and Economic Impact
The unexpected return of loadshedding has sparked frustration among South Africans, who had started to enjoy a period of energy stability. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, have expressed concern over the economic impact of renewed power cuts, which could disrupt business operations and reduce productivity.
Energy analysts warn that prolonged loadshedding could negatively affect investor confidence and hamper economic growth. Professor Linda Masinga, an energy policy expert at the University of Johannesburg, noted, “The recent loadshedding indicates that while progress has been made, Eskom’s system remains vulnerable. Continuous investment in maintenance and diversification of energy sources is crucial to achieving lasting energy security.”
Government’s Recovery Plan and Future Outlook
Minister Ramokgopa emphasised that the government and Eskom are committed to maintaining the progress achieved through the Generation Recovery Plan, which had delivered over ten months of stable electricity. He assured the public that the current loadshedding is a temporary setback and that efforts are underway to return the affected units to service and replenish emergency reserves.
Eskom’s leadership echoed this sentiment, highlighting that ongoing maintenance and infrastructure investments are key to improving the reliability of the power supply. The utility plans to return additional capacity to the grid in preparation for winter 2025, which traditionally places higher demand on the system.
Expert Opinions and Long-Term Solutions
Experts agree that while the return of loadshedding is disappointing, it underscores the importance of addressing Eskom’s underlying structural challenges. Energy analyst Chris Yelland noted that diversifying South Africa’s energy mix by incorporating more renewable sources, such as wind and solar, could reduce the country’s reliance on Eskom’s aging coal-fired power stations.
The government’s plans to restructure Eskom into separate generation, transmission, and distribution entities are also expected to improve operational efficiency and attract private sector investment in the energy sector.
Looking Ahead
As Eskom works to restore stability, South Africans are reminded of the progress made over the past year and the continued efforts to strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure. Regular updates from Eskom and the government will keep the public informed about the status of the power grid and any further measures that may be necessary.
In the meantime, Eskom has urged the public to use electricity sparingly and to report any illegal activities that may compromise the integrity of the power network.
🔴Central News Weekly Edition 087🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Building ‘The Ngwathe We Want’:
Dr Mothamaha Drives Cost-Effective
Solutions with New Fleet Acquisitions”
Download Here:
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube