Nuclear procurement will save South Africa from a possible 2026 electricity capacity crunch, said Eskom CEO Brian Molefe in a briefing on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Molefe, who was delivering Eskom\u2019s six-month results for the period to end-September 2016, warned South Africa could experience load shedding again if it doesn\u2019t go this route.<\/p>\n
South Africa has experienced 15 months without load shedding, said Molefe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect that by 2026 we will have problems again. Between 2022 and 2026 there will be a declining surplus,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why we need to start with nuclear procurement now,\u201d<\/p>\n
Molefe added that \u201cthe first five years of nuclear procurement will be planning, just planning\u201d.<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s bid to procure nuclear has come under scrutiny as experts have questioned whether the country can afford the programme.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Molefe further said that \u201cexcess capacity currently exists and is projected to grow steadily over the next few years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEskom calls on customers to increase consumption,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n