Mineral resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has announced that the country’s power utility Eskom faces two years of load shedding.
This in contrast to Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha saying that load shedding can be expected for the next 18 months as it catches up on maintenance.
Mantashe has been speaking on the second day of the debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament.
The minister says the unreliable electricity supplier is the biggest threat in economy growth of the country.
“Eskom demands above 31000 megawatts. According to the power utility we face at least two years minimum of potential load shedding.”
“The President mentioned the following measures we will implement to address energy shortage, procurement of emergency power, the easing of requirements and process for generation for all use and enabling municipalities in good financial standing to buy their own power.”
Debate on President’s State of the Nation Address, Debate on President’s State of the Nation Address, Gwede Mantashe giving more details on Eskom status:
