Load shedding again hangs above our heads. However, power utility Eskom on Thursday said that while the electricity grid remains constrained and vulnerable, it did not expect to implement load shedding.
Eskom said the electricity system remains severely constrained with 10 500 MW absent from the system due to planned and unplanned breakdons at coal-fired power stations.
The power utility assured South Africa it is doing everything it can to bring the generating units back on line.
“Eskom’s Emergency Response Command Centre continues to monitor the system and has implemented contingencies to supplement emergency reserves in order to avoid and/or if unavoidable, minimize loadshedding.”
Eskom appeals to South Africans to save electricity to avoid load shedding
We continue to appeal to customers to continue to use electricity sparingly throughout the day:
- Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC
- Switch off your geysers over peak periods
- Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time
- Set your swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time for optimal energy use.
- At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch. Avoid stand-by or sleep mode.
Customers are advised to check their loadshedding schedules on the Eskom or municipal website.