Eskom could push load shedding past stage 6
Eskom has pleaded with South Africans to drastically reduce electricity usage or face higher stages of load shedding.
The warning comes as the country is already battling indefinite stage 6 load shedding, which was announced on Tuesday evening.
At the time, the utility blamed the delay in in returning to service a generating unit each at Kendal, Matla, and Matimba power stations.
On Wednesday afternoon, the embattled utility's spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena warned that the ongoing cold snap could lead to even higher stages of load shedding.
"Due to the cold weather, we appeal to all members of the public to reduce the electricity demand between 17:00 and 21:00, by switching off non-essential appliances, mainly geysers, swimming pool pumps and electric heaters.
"The evening peak forecast for today is 29 609MW and yesterday’s demand at evening peak was 33 423MW, higher than the forecast demand.
"The reduction will continue to assist in alleviating pressure on the system and avoid higher stages of load shedding," says Mokwena.
Eskom has been struggling to return more units online despite Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa's promise that two units at the embattled Tutuka Power Station in Mpumalanga will be back online in September.
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