Eskom prepares for winter

ESKOM says it is making ‘steady progress’ in reducing its maintenance backlog, and that in most cases it has been able to perform the requisite plant maintenance without load shedding.

This is according to its Quarterly State of the System Report, issued yesterday (Wednesday).

Eskom has consistently warned that the power system is expected to remain constrained for at least the next two years, and that balancing supply and demand during this period would be particularly difficult.

Eskom’s Acting Chief Executive Brian Molefe said the power utility plans to execute the maintenance drive ‘without having to implement load shedding’.

Mr Molefe urged all electricity users to continue using electricity sparingly in order to ‘allow Eskom enough space to continue with the requisite maintenance’.

While there is expected to be sufficient power supply to meet demand for most part of the day, in winter the load increase could be up to 36 000MW particularly over the short sharp evening peak between 5.30 and 6.30.

The increase is predominantly due to the use of electric heaters, geysers and cooking that takes place during this time.

DID YOU KNOW?

Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.

To receive news links via BBM, add us using the pin 2BABF7D1.

The South Coast Herald is also on Facebook and Twitter – why not join us there?