South Africa has reached a full year without load shedding, marking a significant point in the country’s efforts to restore stability to the national electricity supply.
Speaking during the Department of Electricity and Energy’s budget vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the achievement should not be viewed as a moment of celebration, but rather as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in stabilising the power system.
Ramokgopa also set out government’s next priorities, including eliminating load reduction in all provinces by March 2026 and accelerating South Africa’s nuclear energy programme.
South Africa Targets End Of Load Reduction By March 2026
The minister said all provinces are expected to overcome load reduction by March next year.
Load reduction has been implemented in some municipalities where electricity demand exceeds available supply and local infrastructure is unable to cope.
According to Ramokgopa, government is working to address these constraints as part of a broader effort to strengthen electricity distribution networks across the country.
Nuclear Energy Programme To Gain New Momentum
As South Africa expands and diversifies its energy mix, Ramokgopa said nuclear power will play a more prominent role.
He announced that government intends to revive the country’s pebble-bed modular reactor technology, which has been in care and maintenance for several years.
“The department will advance the nuclear programme with prudence and discipline. This includes the nuclear industrialisation plan, the implementation of 5,200MW nuclear build programme, the nuclear fuel cycle strategy to support energy sovereignty, small modular reactor positioning, including the lifting of the pebble-bed modular reactor out of care and maintenance, with the basis to renew its capability.”
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Ramokgopa said the department will also prepare an integrated 20-year national plan to guide the retirement, repowering and repurposing of South Africa’s coal-fired power stations.
The strategy will address minimum emission standards, regulatory compliance, cost recovery and programmes aimed at revitalising affected communities.
“This work will be undertaken with social partners. It will recognise the legitimate concerns of workers, municipalities, local business, and communities. It will also ensure coal fleet decisions are aligned with system adequacy and affordability.”
