‘Lessons to be learned from Eskom setbacks’: Ramokgopa admits maintenance failures

South Africa’s electricity crisis has resurfaced as Eskom implements stage 2 load shedding during peak hours, despite recent assurances that the winter of 2025 would likely be load shedding-free.

The power utility announced the stage 2 load shedding on Tuesday.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa acknowledged that Eskom’s implementation of load shedding represents a failure, particularly in managing maintenance schedules.

“I want to just say to the rest of the country once more, almost profuse and sincere apologies,” Ramokgopa said during a media briefing on Wednesday.

“I’m the first one to accept that in this instance, [it] really is not about the engineering performance of the units, it has to do with how we are able to manage this situation.”

He acknowledged that following long periods of uninterrupted power supply, the constant load shedding undermines public confidence, which he said also affects Eskom workers.

“I must say that they [Eskom workers] have our full support, in instances where there are setbacks, there’s a lot to be learned from those setbacks,” Ramokgopa stated.

Eskom maintenance delays identified as primary cause of load shedding

The primary reason for the current load shedding is what Eskom calls “outage slips” – maintenance projects that have not been completed on schedule.

These delays amount to approximately 3,100 megawatts of generation capacity that should have been available but isn’t.

“The reason why we are here today is primarily because that promise of making sure that planned maintenance comes down to below 5,000 [megawatts], we have not been able to fulfil it,” Ramokgopa explained.

Eskom Group head of generation Bheki Nxumalo elaborated on the situation, noting that between May 9th and May 12th, unplanned losses due to maintenance slippages fluctuated between 1,500 and 3,000 megawatts.

“This is an aspect that, from our review of the first cases of load shedding earlier this year, is receiving attention,” Nxumalo said.

“It has to do with the clinical finish when it comes to execution of the work from scope definitions, readiness from skills availability both on our sites and the sites of our contractors, availability of spare parts, and the discipline of following through within the schedules.”

ALSO READ: Eskom to implement stage 2 load shedding from Tuesday

Eskom winter outlook remains positive despite setback

Despite the current implementation of load shedding, both Ramokgopa and Nxumalo insisted that their previously presented winter outlook remains valid.

The minister emphasised that South Africa is entering the winter of 2025 in a better position than in 2024, with approximately 2,500 megawatts of additional capacity.

He highlighted several key improvements, including the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6 to the grid on 26 March and the anticipated return of Medupi Unit 4.

Nxumalo maintained that Eskom’s forecast remains unchanged: “Our forecast in terms of our winter plan, as we explained last week, remains valid.”

ALSO READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here’s how many days of load shedding to expect in SA

Management issues rather than technical problems

Ramokgopa was clear that the current bout of load shedding is not due to structural or technical issues but rather management problems, particularly in planning and coordination with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

“We are not sitting with a money problem. We are not sitting with a skills capacity issue. You are sitting with the ability for us to do proper planning and ensure that the units are able to come back,” the minister said.

He noted that the outage slips have increased to levels last seen during the intense load shedding periods of 2023, when they averaged between 2,700 and 3,500 megawatts.

During Eskom’s recent good performance period, outage slips had been reduced to below 1,000 megawatts.

ALSO READ: Load shedding caution despite Eskom’s confidence [VIDEO]

Learning from setbacks

The minister acknowledged that setbacks are part of the journey toward resolving the electricity crisis but emphasised the importance of learning from these experiences.

“I really want to say the following just to the rest of the country that we do experience these setbacks. I did make the point previously that we are likely going to encounter these setbacks, but what is important is to ensure that we stay the course, focus on the bouncing ball,” Ramokgopa stated.

He emphasised that despite the current situation, the overall trend remains positive: “If you look at the trend line, it’s still positive, moving in the right direction. What is important is the speed with which we are able to come out of load shedding.”

Ramokgopa also highlighted the value of learning from difficulties: “These events that appear to take us back are the ones that are going to ensure that they build some degree of resilience, who are able to package these experiences and ensure that we don’t repeat these missteps.”

ALSO READ: Eskom recalls National Transmission Company CEO Segomoco Scheppers

Eskom not constrained by financial resources

Eskom executives assured that financial constraints are not hampering maintenance efforts.

When asked about the R252 billion allocated by Treasury over three years, Eskom’s Bheki Nxumalo emphasised that the funds are available and being utilised.

“Our maintenance is divided into three categories,” Nxumalo explained.

“We’ve got the routine maintenance which happens daily, the general overhauls which is mostly the capex part at around R12 billion per annum, and abnormal maintenance for projects like emission projects, with total capex about R30 billion per annum.”

ALSO READ: Here’s this week’s Eskom load reduction and City Power outage schedule

Path forward and consequences

Ramokgopa indicated that there would be “consequence management” for those responsible for the planning failures and called for “very difficult, hard, and candid conversations with the team.”

Despite the setback, the minister remained optimistic about the overall trajectory: “If you look at the trend line, it’s still positive, moving in the right direction. What is important is the speed with which we are able to come out of load shedding, and then we get to a period where we have a sustained period of uninterrupted supply.”

Ramokgopa concluded by acknowledging public frustration while asking for patience: “We do understand your disappointment and, of course, exceptionally, grief… your anger, well understood, and we’re feeling your pain, but I must say to you that we are going to get this right. I’m more than confident, like I say all the time, we are within touching distance.”

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