Waghied Misbach

Waghied Misbach

The government has announced a new plan to tackle the electricity crisis in South Africa that has been frustrating consumers and causing millions of rands in losses to businesses.

Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica announced the "Masterplan", to be implemented over three years, in Pretoria yesterday, saying that it was an important step to tackle the electricity crisis in the country.

One of the key elements of the plan is to conduct a "critical analysis" of electricity needs in South Africa.

This will be followed by a "broad framework" of interventions to tackle the crisis.

"Recent experiences with blackouts and brownouts in South Africa and abroad have demonstrated the vulnerability of world economies to electricity shortages and point to the need for a coordinated long-term planning," said Sonjica.