\u201cThe load-shedding that we are going through now is occasioned by what Eskom is having to do to reposition the generation of our fleet,\u201d Ramaphosa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey are maintaining our fleet. They are making sure that incidents of load-shedding that have been given rise to in the past because of unplanned load-shedding events like breakdowns are put behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the more intense load-shedding will not last. \u201cThis, as much as it is stage 6, is of a short-term nature,\u201d Ramaphosa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the minister of electricity has briefed him thoroughly about the processes that Eskom is going through. \u201cThere is short-term pain for longer-term gain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President further urged South Africans to see the current process and the subsequent stage 6 load-shedding in a positive light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are obviously worried when there is load-shedding, but as we go through this process now, we must see it in a positive light because, in the long term, these are things we have to do to say goodbye to load-shedding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deputy President Paul Mashatile told<\/a> the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association that intensive maintenance was being done at power stations to relieve the ongoing power cuts on a long-term basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are allowing Minister Ramokgopa to do a lot of maintenance. So, if you see a bit of a spike at the moment, they are doing intensive maintenance. They have taken a lot of them for maintenance. When they return online, you will see reduced load shedding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this month, Ramokgopa said the country was plunged into higher load-shedding stages because Eskom was not \u201csticking to its planned maintenance schedule\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ramokgopa said South Africans should expect intensified power cuts to persist in the short term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are going to stick to planned and philosophy maintenance. We do accept that in the short-term, it\u2019s going to result in the possibility of intensified load shedding,\u201d said Ramokgopa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, an analysis of Eskom\u2019s capacity loss due to planned maintenance revealed that these statements are misleading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The data indicates that Eskom is actually doing slightly less maintenance than it was doing at the same time last year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In August 2022, for example, Eskom\u2019s capacity loss due to planned maintenance was 9.2%. In August 2023, it was 9.1%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eskom\u2019s capacity loss factor due to planned maintenance for the past 12 months can be seen in the graph below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In response to questions from Daily Investor, the Ministry of Electricity said that minimal maintenance was done at Eskom\u2019s coal-fired power stations for the past few years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ministry said Eskom intended to shut down most of its coal stations, so it did not spend enough time and resources on relevant repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and replacements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stations such as Hendrina, Grootvlei, Tutuka, Kenal, Matla, and Duvha, among others, were meant to be shut down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ministry said South Africans must understand that no one would have maintained what they intended to shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eskom planned to shut down coal plants without introducing sufficient alternative energy generation. This is what caused load shedding, said the Ministry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since being appointed Electricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa decided to delay the shutdown of Eskom\u2019s coal power stations and fast-track the introduction of renewables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means many stations must undergo intensive maintenance to improve their performance, resulting in elevated levels of load-shedding, the Ministry said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article was first published by Daily Investor and republished with permission. Read the original here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailyinvestor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-3-1024x562.png\")
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