The African National Congress (ANC) said on Friday it is committed to not only maintaining the 100 consecutive days without loadshedding, but also to permanently end loadshedding.

Eskom celebrated reaching 100 consecutive days without loadshedding, on Friday.

The ANC pledged its continuous implementation and enhancement of strategies laid out in the Energy Action Plan (EAP), which it said would ensure that progress was sustainable and that every South African could enjoy reliable and uninterrupted electricity.

The ANC noted that the 100 consecutive days achievement were a testament to the “relentless efforts” and commitment of government, spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Energy Crisis Committee, led by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

The party said despite Eskom’s success, it remained acutely aware of the challenges that loadshedding had brought to citizens.

“From disrupting businesses and causing economic losses to affecting the quality of life in households across the nation, the impact of inconsistent electricity supply has been profound. Families have struggled with power outages that disrupted their daily routines, children’s education has been interrupted, and businesses, especially small enterprises, have faced operational challenges that threatened their survival,” the party said.

In July 2022, government launched the comprehensive EAP, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term energy security, which the ANC said had been instrumental in achieving the current milestone.

The party noted a recent and remarkable achievement in the country’s journey is Eskom's successful addition of 800 MW to the national grid as Kusile power station’s Unit 5 achieved commercial operation.

“This milestone, after months of rigorous testing and optimisation, marks a significant leap in our efforts to stabilise South Africa's power system. With the total output of Kusile power station now above 4 000 MW, this unit not only contributes a substantial amount of power but also enhances the stability of our network,” said the party.

The ANC also noted the completion of Kusile power station Unit 5, which is part of a broader Generation Operational Recovery Plan, initiated in March 2023 with the aim of adding a total of 2 500 MW to the grid by the end of this year.

“Moreover, Kusile power station’s innovative use of wet flue gas desulphurisation technology underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability. This technology makes Kusile the first power station in South Africa and Africa to use such emissions abatement technology, ensuring compliance with international air quality standards,” said the ANC.

In expanding generation capacity, there was significant reduction on the reliance on diesel-powered turbines, which has not only improved the country’s environmental footprint but also alleviated financial pressure on Eskom.

“By focusing on more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions, we are securing a more stable and economically viable future for South Africa's power supply,” the party said.