Pylons carry high voltage electricity cables from the Grootvlei power station, operated by Eskom Holdings. President Cyril Ramphosa said in his State of the National Address 2025 the country’s will require some 14 000 kilometres of new power transmission lines to be funded and built. Photographer: Dean Hutton/Bloomberg
Eskom’s electricity provision was at a turning point and Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa would put forward proposals to bring the matter of load shedding to an end once and for all, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday night.
In his State of the Nation address Thursday, Ramaphosa said South Africa had experienced more than 300 days free of load shedding.
While the brief load shedding of two days last week reminded everyone that electricity generation and transmission are still vulnerable to disruption, the country is nevertheless on a positive track, he said.
He said that Eskom and Transnet were being repositioned to provide “world-class” infrastructure services and also allow private sector companies to compete in the provision of those services, without losing ownership control of key state assets.
He said that while the energy supply remains constrained, the government's energy action strategy has been successful in reducing load shedding.
The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2024, will introduce significant reforms to South Africa's electricity sector, aiming to create a more competitive and sustainable market.
He noted that some 14,000 kilometres of transmission lines still need to be erected in South Africa, and talks are underway with multilateral funding organisations to finance these transmission lines.
He added that South Africa would continue to progress on meeting its targets, and $13 billion has been pledged to South Africa for this by other countries, while the private sector is making significant investments in renewable energy generation. We will meet carbon reduction commitments at a pace South Africa can afford.
According to online sources, the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act allows for the establishment of a Transmission System Operator, the introduction of an Open Market Platform, penalties for sabotage and damage, and the promotion of renewable energy.
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