President Cyril Ramaphosa writes in his weekly newsletter that real progress has been achieved through the partnership between government and the business sector in addressing critical challenges facing the country, including the energy crisis.

With a primary focus on energy, freight rail and port operations challenges, and combating crime and corruption, Ramaphosa says this collaborative effort has demonstrated the power of collective action in driving positive change.

ALSO READ: Key reforms by government can accelerate energy turnaround

Focusing on the power crisis, the President says the partnership has leveraged the combined resources and expertise of both government and business entities.

Since its establishment in June last year, over R170 million has been contributed by the private sector, along with the mobilization of over 350 technical experts.

He says this unified approach has yielded tangible results, with load shedding reduced by 61% since November 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.

Key achievements include the return of units at the Kusile power station, the deployment of additional independent skilled experts to support Eskom and new generation capacity from rooftop solar.

Looking ahead, the partnership aims to increase electricity generation capacity by up to 10,600 MW, significantly reducing the severity of load shedding by the end of the year.

This includes improved Eskom plant performance, additional private investment in rooftop solar and large-scale power projects, and connecting projects from previous renewable energy bid windows to the grid.

President Ramaphosa has emphasized that while the partnership has made significant strides in addressing immediate challenges, the broader work to grow the economy and create jobs requires the involvement of all social partners.

You can read Ramaphosa’s full newsletter HERE.