Ramokgopa: Plan in place to reduce unplanned capacity loss

JOHANNESBURG - Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa blames the high stages of blackouts on unplanned losses.

He says the plan is to reduce this by doing more maintenance.

Ramokgopa was giving an update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan.

READ: Eskom announces Stage 2 and 4 blackouts for the week

"Boiler tube leaks are a big contributor to the failure rate," the minister said.

"The more we do planned maintenance, the better the prospects of us undermining the increase in capacity."

There's no good news for the immediate future.

READ: Ramokgopa: Blackouts are unwelcome occurrences

Ramokgopa says the cold front in Gauteng will lead to higher demand.

And, that means higher stages of power cuts.

"We are trying to ensure that by all means, we don't go beyond Stage 4," he said.

READ: Cold front hits Gauteng

"There's a cold front in the Gauteng area. It accounts for a significant amount of the load.

"It's something that is worrying and we expect the demand is going to surge."    

Eskom has implemented Stage 2 and Stage 4 blackouts for the week.