The restoration of three units at Kusile could help significantly reduce load shedding.
Further units at Kusile power station are expected to come on stream in the coming months greatly easing the pressure on the grid. Photo - Getty Images
Speaking at his regular"energy action plan" briefing on Sunday in Pretoria, Ramokgopa said the return of Kusile Unit 3 to service on Saturday two months ahead of schedule, showed South Africa was"starting to turn the corner". Three units at Kusile were impacted by the collapse of stacks at the power station a year ago.
Ramokgopa, who indicated that Unit 3 was currently generating 550MW and would be ramped up to provide 800MW, said that two days of no load shedding – albeit over a weekend – were"small gains that accumulate over time".He said the second of the Kusile units would return to service during the course of October, while the third unit would come on stream either late October or early November. This would give Eskom a maximum of 2 400MW in additional capacity.
He said that part of the targets set was for Eskom to keep this below 14 000MW, something which the restoration of the three units would achieve at a stroke. "The decision to ask for an exemption was not an easy one. We have an obligation to ensure that we protect the health of people and the environment. That is why in the approval of that exemption, there are stringent requirements put in place."
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