Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says power utility Eskom’s winter plan is holding firm—despite recent bouts of load-shedding. If all goes according to plan, this winter will be exempt from rolling power cuts, he affirms. If not, south africans will only be subject to stage two power cuts.

Speaking during a media briefing today, he insisted the national grid is in a far better state than last year, with intensified efforts to meet winter demand. While brief setbacks remain possible, Ramokgopa remains confident: the goal is a load-shedding-free winter, as Eskom focuses on maintenance and stabilizing the country’s power supply.

“We are very optimist about the prospect of a loadshedding-free winter, and/or at worst a stage two load-shedding (winter), if certain things were to happen,” said Ramokgopa.