Promises, promises, but load shedding plunges SA back into darkness

Just days after Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa claimed that the end of load shedding may be on the horizon sooner rather than later, the country was plunged into Stage 6 rolling blackouts.
In a statement on Wednesday, the power utility said this was due to the loss of additional generating units that occurred overnight on Tuesday, the extensive use of Open Gas Cycle Turbines and the inability to replenish pumped storage dam levels.
“Stage four load shedding will be implemented at 7am (Wednesday) morning until 2pm.
Thereafter, Stage six load shedding will be implemented from 2pm (Wednesday) until 5am on Thursday.
This pattern will be repeated daily until further notice. Eskom will publish an update as soon as any significant changes occur,” Eskom said.
During a briefing in Pretoria at the weekend, Ramokgopa updated the nation on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan intended to map out long-term solutions to the load shedding crisis.
He said he was pleased to announce that the President’s first assignment, to reduce the intensity of load shedding, was achieved.