Return of three Kusile units could reduce load shedding by two stages, says Ramokgopa
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the exemption granted to Eskom on emission regulations would allow it to return three units at Kusile power station to service.
Ramokgopa briefed the media on the energy crisis on Sunday.
In October last year, Eskom applied for permission to run three units at Kusile without flue gas desulphurisation technology, which is used to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.
Earlier this month, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment permitted Eskom to operate the power station without reducing the emission of sulphur dioxide until March 2025.
According to Ramokgopa, the units will contribute about 2,400 megawatts to the grid, which will help reduce load shedding by up to two stages.
Ramokgopa stated that Eskom was steadily approaching its target of achieving an energy availability factor of 70%.
“Our target is to reduce demand by about 1000MW in the next six months, and we remain on track. We are in the midst of a crisis, there’s an energy deficit, so I think it would be an irrational decision to decommission coal-powered stations.”
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