The lights will stay on during the festive season.
That’s the word from Eskom bosses, who say the situation is gradually improving despite the coal shortage crisis.
Eight of the power utility’s plants are below the required 20 days of coal stockpiles.
But Eskom says the probability of load-shedding remains low, at least until mid-January.
Eskom warns that the power grid remains vulnerable, with the risk of power outages.
Ageing power stations are hampering generating capacity, resulting in load-shedding.
The power utility has been at pains to explain that the load-shedding was not due to coal shortage.
But plans are in place to increase stock.
Emergency procurement in the last few weeks has brought in an additional 20-million tonnes of coal.
However heavy rains over the next three months could impact coal handling and impact generation capacity.
Source: eNCA
