By Marcus Moloko
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced on Thursday that load reduction has come to an end.
He said South Africa has “turned a corner” in addressing load shedding, adding that with proper cooperation from residents, the country could eliminate power cuts entirely within the next 12 months.
“We are doing everything possible to eliminate it. We are achieving exceptional results,” he said.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Ramokgopa said the country’s energy availability was consistently above 70%, with the number confidently expected to increase to ensure the lights remained on.
Detailing interventions aimed at ending load reduction, which refers to the intentional interruption of electricity in specific areas where the local networks became overloaded during peak demand periods, the minister said there was a second challenge, which was the cost of electricity.
“A second challenge is now the cost of electricity. We are working on the resolution of the cost of electricity,” he said.
From 2007 to 2024, electricity has increased by 937% compared to an inflation of 155%, according to Ramokgopa, which was clearly affecting most household disposable income.
“South Africans are finding it difficult to afford the cost of electricity. We are doing everything to resolve that,” he said.
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