Mantashe says government is aware of the energy challenges

CAPE TOWN - Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said that the government is conscious of challenges that hinder progress to ensure reliable energy supply.

Mantashe addressed reporters on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Indaba currently underway at the Cape Town Convention Centre.

The challenges he highlighted include grid capacity, and the decline in energy availability due to aging infrastructure.

Mantashe said government is working around the clock to address the decline in the energy availability factor and resolve the grid capacity problems.

He added that government is also investing in baseload energy sources to guarantee access to affordable and reliable energy supply for South Africans.

"Our power stations that are there, are not operating optimally. So, the work that is done by Minister Ramokgopa to pay attention to those energy availability factors, to make those power stations work optimally, will reduce or eliminate load shedding."

Mantashe also dismissed assumptions that government does not support the use of renewables to address the country's energy challenges.