Currently, 2023 is expected to have more rolling blackouts than 2022. Energy availability factor (EAF) will need to increase from 58% to 70% in two years to recover Eskom’s coal-fired power stations.
As a result of the crisis, Eskom considered implementing permanent Stage 2 and Stage 3 rolling blackouts, a statement it has since retracted.
The issue of declaring a National State of Disaster for the energy emergency received urgent attention during the ANC’s four-day lekgotla at Esselen Park in Ekurhuleni.
Numerous roleplayers, including traditional leaders, community-based organizations, and trade unions, urged the crisis to be declared a National State of Disaster. During the party’s weekend lekgotla, the call was further aired.
“It was observed that it would be necessary to have a National State of Disaster because that would enable us to have the instruments that would be necessary to fully address the challenge that our nation faces,” Ramaphosa said.
“There is already work being done within the government to determine whether the legal requirements for declaring a National State of Disaster have been met and what specific actions the government would be empowered to take to resolve load shedding urgently within the framework of a National State of Disaster,” he said, as the audience cheered.
During Ramaphosa’s remarks, the party heard presentations from representatives who detailed that rolling blackouts have devastating effects on communities, small businesses, and farmers.
The remarks came after several politicians and businessmen hired a legal team of seven law firms to call on the government to stop cutting power to SA. The group is also demanding fair compensation for the damage caused by the blackouts and that the government play its cards close to its chest regarding the energy crisis in South Africa.