The recent statement by Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity in South Africa, during his State of the Nation address in Cape Town, drew attention to the current energy situation in the country. While many citizens remain skeptical about the reliability of the national electricity grid, the figures still reveal a temporary success: 40 consecutive days without a power cut. An anomaly, some will say, but a glimmer of hope for others.
The question that arises is whether this blackout-free period is the result of a directive issued ahead of the May elections, or whether it is really the result of efforts made in terms of maintenance and repairs. Minister Ramokgopa highlights the importance of these actions to explain the improvement in electricity production capacity. Recent recommissioning of units at stations such as Kusile have also helped strengthen the network and increase energy availability.
Independent analysts remain divided as to the reasons for this relatively stable period. Some speak of a drop in demand during peak hours, others highlight the growing role of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, in reducing dependence on Eskom. However, another theory points to the intensive use of diesel, mainly to operate gas turbines in an open cycle, a costly strategy and normally reserved for emergency situations.
Recent statements by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, regarding the astronomical amounts spent on diesel by Eskom in recent years fuel questions about the sustainability of this situation. While some experts say it is best to bear these costs in order to avoid high levels of power outages, others point out the harmful economic consequences of such expenditures.
Ultimately, the question remains: is this recent lull due to massive diesel use or a real improvement in Eskom’s infrastructure and management? Widespread cynicism and skepticism persist, fueled by the multiple dysfunctions and scandals rocking South Africa’s energy sector.
Ramokgopa and Dan Marokane, the new director general of Eskom, admit that the end of power cuts is not a given, and that blackouts remain possible in the future. Vigilance therefore remains essential, and only the evolution of diesel expenditure this year will allow us to know whether this truce is truly due to an internal improvement or to a costly temporary strategy..
In the meantime, public opinion keeps a wary eye on developments in the energy sector in South Africa, torn between the hope of regained stability and the fear of falling back into an infernal cycle of cuts and dysfunctions. .