Cabinet commends return of Kusile Power Station’s Unit 4

Cabinet has commended the return to service of Kusile Power Station’s Unit 4 from planned maintenance, bringing back 800 megawatts to the country’s power grid.

“This milestone is central to generating capacity for the national grid in addressing the frequency of load shedding,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said at a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

Cabinet was further encouraged with the progress to return Units 1, 2 and 3 at Kusile ahead of schedule in October and the end of November 2023.

Cabinet has also welcomed Eskom’s stable rating by Moody’s Investors Service, which will improve its credit worthiness.

The ratings agency upgraded the power utility’s rating from positive to stable, following the utility’s Debt Relief Act passed in July.

“This rating will enable Eskom to plan ahead in implementing planned maintenance on its generation fleet,” Ntshavheni said.

Cabinet has further commended the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s granting of trading and import/export licence applications to the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA).

The NTCSA is wholly owned by Eskom, as the State-owned company is being restructured into the generation, transmission and distribution subsidiaries.

The NTCSA applied for a trading licence in order to be able to buy and sell electricity from power stations and independent power producers.

“This paves the way for procurement of power from across the region,” the Minister said.

Water challenges 

On water security, Ntshavheni said water authorities and local government are addressing water challenges affecting a number of areas across the country.

The Minister noted that major water losses in Gauteng fall in the areas of the cities’ responsibilities, including Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and the City of Johannesburg.

She also warned that water losses experienced on the side of the cities is higher and this is due to the non-repair of damaged water infrastructure and leaking pipes, which are left unattended.

“The Minister of Water and Sanitation and Rand Water have been intervening to ensure how to manage water shortages,” Ntshavheni said.

The Minister also reminded citizens that their actions are crucial to ensuring a sustainable and equitable water supply.

“We must all play our part to save every drop by not watering lawns or filling swimming pools with drinking water. Wash your car using a bucket, take a two-minute shower instead of a bath, fix all water leaks in your house and report leaking water pipes to your local municipality,” Ntshavheni said.