TheCable

The government of China has donated 450 gasoline generators to South Africa to alleviate the impact of load shedding in the country.

Chen Xiadong, Chinese ambassador to South Africa, presented the generators to Xgosientsho Ramokgopa, the country’s minister of electricity, on Thursday.

Xiadong said he was excited to make the donation.

Excited to be handing over 450 generators to @GovernmentZA today to help SA alleviate the impact of loadshedding #poweringcooperation #LeaveNoOneBehind #SAChinarelations @Kgosientsho_R @PresidencyZA pic.twitter.com/26rFzcyYQA

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— AmbCHENXiaodong (@ChinaAmbSA) November 30, 2023

Receiving the generators, Ramokgopa said they will be used as “backup to alleviate the impacts of load shedding in the delivery of services in clinics, schools and courts”.

The electricity minister said the first consignment is the “smallest capacity of generators” and that the large capacity of generators will be received in February 2024.

“The second consignment will arrive in a few weeks time and this will be consisting, amongst others, 150kw diesel generators, power vehicle generators and off-grid photovoltaic energy storage power supply systems,” he said.

The generators will be used as backup to alleviate the impacts of load shedding in the delivery of services in clinics, schools and courts whilst government continues to implement the EAP to ultimately end load shedding and create sustainable energy security#LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/4pHScnNLKg

— Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (@Kgosientsho_R) November 30, 2023

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Over the past few months, Eskom, South Africa’s state owned public electricity company, has been embarking on different stages of load shedding amid low electricity generation in the country.

Load shedding occurs when generated electricity is less than the demand. When this happens, electricity companies tend to rotate the supply of power to consumers.

The donation of the generators has elicited varied reactions from citizens.

SEE COMMENTS: 

The minister of electricity in South Africa is commissioning 450 FREE generators from china.

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Lmfao thank God Nigeria is not this bad yet 😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂 https://t.co/omHnc4v0pz

— OmoOreOfeOluwa (@iamRolami) November 30, 2023

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On stage 6 loadshedding of 12 hours, this generator will use R200's fuel per day. That amounts to R6000 a month!

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Instead of building proper power stations, they take cheap handouts to make sure that comrades get contracts for supply of petrol/diesel! https://t.co/R7aIEpAtXU

— Christo 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@ChristoThurston) December 1, 2023

South Africans have no right to insult anyone in Africa about electricity 🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣😂 they have gotten to the stage of government officials sharing generators.

Thank God Nigeria is getting better with the Siemens electricity deal. https://t.co/omHnc4v0pz

— OmoOreOfeOluwa (@iamRolami) November 30, 2023

Get these people out of our government man, please! https://t.co/1d5xRyoz8p

— Phume (@phume22) November 30, 2023

This is either a 2kva or a 5kva generator not even close to be able to power up a commercial operation like a school or clinic.
These also have they have a 3hr maximum continuous run time of and stage 6 loadshedding is 4hrs so you can do the maths. https://t.co/29My8KhEJU

— Lwazi (@LwaziMBK) December 1, 2023

The year 2023 ANC is celebrating generator’s 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 even a ribbon cutting ceremony and all haai im dead 🤣☠️🤣☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ no man https://t.co/N2yM31RTZT pic.twitter.com/Yz4rWQT9rb

— Gilles (@GillesMcG) November 30, 2023

Minister of Electricity, where’s the shame? You should be embarrassed

— Lynette Engelbrecht (@Lynette_SA) November 30, 2023

While generators can provide temporary relief during load shedding, relying on them as a long-term solution isn't sustainable. Transitioning to cleaner and renewable energy sources should be the focus to achieve lasting energy security. Investing in solar, wind, and other green…

— zen life (@zenlife_chauke) November 30, 2023