No load shedding plans says Government

Collins Chabane, Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation says South Africans will be informed in advance should the need arise for any such action, so that we can all plan sufficiently

Government says there are no plans for load-shedding this winter, but officials have urged South Africans to save as much electricity as possible.

Cabinet reiterates that the precarious energy situation is due both to essential maintenance as well as unintended technical issues including cable theft,” said Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane.

“South Africans will be informed in advance should the need arise for any such action, so that we can all plan sufficiently,” Chabane said at a media briefing on Thursday.

Cabinet appreciated the part played by all South Africans in helping the country save 3 586 Mega Watts (MW) of energy since 2005, the equivalent of the output of a single power station.

Authorities called for a national effort this winter for further reductions in the use of electricity as energy supply will once again come under seasonal pressure.

“Together, let us conserve energy by switching off non-essential appliances. All South Africans have the power to keep the lights on.”

Cabinet further assured South Africans that various programmes were in place to ensure that electricity demand is met and that the integrity of the power system was maintained at all times. The infrastructure build programme aimed to ensure that the economy is supported by the requisite infrastructure in the years ahead.