Eskom informed residents on their website to heed safety rules as Eskom will continue with coal-recovery over the festive season.
The statement read that cognisant of its commitment to addressing the challenges pertaining to deterioration in generation performance, Eskom takes advantage of the low electricity demand during the festive season to intensify plant maintenance and fast-track recovery of stock levels to grid code heights.
This is in-line with the organisation’s nine-point system recovery plan aimed at improving generation performance and returning the energy availability factor to 75 per cent by November next year.
These concerted efforts will result in a higher than usual number of coal trucks, especially on the major roads to and from the coal-fired power stations and coal mines, mostly situated in Mpumalanga.
“While the restoration of the power system is an overarching objective, the safety of all South Africans on our roads remains a priority,” said Mr Phakamani Hadebe, Eskom’s Group Chief Executive.
“We therefore urge our people to be vigilant and obey the rules of the road at all times.”
According to the statement, Eskom will stop coal haulage during high peak days where the volume of travellers on the road increases from 24 to 27 December and again from 31 December to 1 January.
Mpumalanga is the gateway to neighbouring countries namely eSwatini and Mozambique and Eskom urged residents travelling to these countries during the festive period, to properly plan their trips, take into account the high number of coal trucks as well as the operating hours of the border gates to these countries to avoid last minute rush.
