Load-shedding| Cyril responds to anger over stage 4

President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked for patience with the troubled power utility. This comes as Eskom’s load-shedding resume this week.

Tuesday, at the Sappi Saiccor Mill’s grand opening in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa pleaded with the country to exercise patience.

Eskom’s concerns with generation capacity are being addressed. However, it will take some time before they are totally resolved, according to the president.

SA is presently in stage 4 of load-shedding.

Eskom still faces several difficulties, and as I previously stated, we needed to secure roughly 4,000 megawatts of electricity, which is currently being done.

“Consequently, until we reach that stage, Eskom will continue to face challenges, though luckily they are not constant. They continue to recover the occasionally failing devices, he said.

According to Ramaphosa investors are aware of the difficulties and grateful for the efforts the government is taking to restore Eskom.

“Unfortunately, it has an impact on livelihoods. Our businesses are also impacted. We may state that the problems are being handled within the framework of the plan I previously described. We are currently implementing that approach, and it is taking shape.

“There has been improvement, and our economy is seeing a lot of good things. I am aware that asking our people to be patient is unreasonable, but all I can promise is that the issues are being dealt with and will soon be dealt with in a far more constructive manner.

Load-shedding is expected to continue throughout the summer, according to Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer, because its maintenance program isn’t producing the desired results.

Reasons for ongoing load-shedding

He claimed that since last Monday, the utility’s 42 generating units had lost about 24,000 megawatts of power.

Despite not yet producing the desired effects, Eskom aims to increase maintenance over the summer months.

Many generating units come back from scheduled maintenance only to experience breakdowns once more, according to Oberholzer.

“The standard and quality of the work being done are not what they should be,” says Eskom. “This is due to a lack of skills, especially artisan skills and skilled operators, both within Eskom and among some of our partner contractors.”

Also read: President Ramaphosa to continue filling potholes desipite criticism