There’s been no load-shedding scheduled so far this year, but the grid remains constrained. Eskom has lost another 13,000 megawatts because of breakdowns.
The utility said technical teams are monitoring the situation and will carry out planned maintenance.
“Our teams will work at reducing unplanned breakdowns to below 9,500 megawatts to enable us to minimize the possibility of load-shedding,” Eskom said in a statement.
One energy expert says you should brace for more power cuts this year as maintenance isn’t done regularly.
“There’s no end to the blackouts, certainly not until for five years after they’ve sorted out a new coal agreement because it takes five years to open up a new coal mine,” said Ted Blom.
“Eskom hasn’t started that process yet. They have put tenders out but they haven’t actually engaged in long-term negotiations and signing of contracts.”
Blom said if Eskom doesn’t get the additional five gigawatts spare capacity to alleviate the situation, we can look forward to rolling blackouts, major breakdowns and erratic power.
Eskom has urged the public to switch off geysers and non-essential appliances to assist in reducing demand.
In other news – #TBT pictures of Mzansi sexxiest teacher Lulu Menziwa
This KZN high school teacher Lulu Menziwa is making older people reconsider going back to school. The photos of the curvy teacher have been circulating on social media and have been met with mix reactions.
In the photos below she is smartly dressed, with fancy-looking clothes. However, that is not sitting well with some social media users saying she is dressed inappropriately and that learners would lose focus in class. continue reading
Source: eNCA
