Minister urges public input on energy plan amid Eskom changes

Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, responsible for electricity in the Presidency, encourages public engagement with the approved Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023.

IRP 2023, endorsed by Cabinet, will be released by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy for public scrutiny, according to SA Gov News.

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MINISTER URGES FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON ENERGY PLAN

Communities, stakeholders, and interest groups are urged to participate in shaping the country’s energy future by submitting suggestions regarding the plan.

The IRP 2023 addresses short-term energy crises up to 2030 and outlines sources of energy and renewable exploitation from 2030 to 2050.

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Ramokgopa emphasizes resolving load shedding and ensuring a secure energy supply for economic protection, growth, and development.

IRP is a dynamic plan estimating South Africa’s electricity demand, encompassing how the demand will be met and the associated costs.

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IS THERE PROGRESS ON THE ENERGY CRISIS?

The Minister announces the temporary removal of 980 megawatts at Koeberg Unit 2, to comply with regulatory requirements.

“To put it into context, we have reached highs of 17 000MW of these losses

In May , we were losing about 17 369MW. Essentially, we are better off by about 3 000MW, and that’s what we’ve been averaging.

In fact, it looks even healthier if you were to take Saturday and today, where we’re at about 12 000MW.”

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We have been able to introduce an improvement of about 5 000MW – 6 000MV if you were to use the baseline of May,” the Minister said.

Despite improvements in power plant performance, Stage 3 and 4 load shedding continues to facilitate increased planned maintenance during the summer.

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The Minister underscores the importance of maintaining power plant equipment to prevent rapid failures and ensure system health.

NEW CEO APPOINTED

Ramokgopa welcomes Dan Marokane as the new Eskom Group CEO, highlighting the need for certainty to overcome the energy crisis.

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Acknowledging Interim CEO Calib Cassim’s contribution, the Minister expresses optimism for the collaborative efforts of Eskom’s executive committee.

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