Eskom sought to downplay the impact of loadshedding on the economy against gloomy predictions by analysts.
In a statement yesterday the parastatal said the risk of loadshedding had reduced significantly and the prognosis for the week was better than expected.
However, Eskom warned “the system will be under extreme pressure on Wednesday and Thursday as the water reserves that we built up over the weekend for our peaking plants will be depleted”.
This comes on the back of the annoucement from the power utility that it was instituting week-long sporadic power cuts around the country after damage was reported to the coal silo at its Majuba Plant in Mpumalanga on the weekend.
Eskom said it had lost up to 1800 megawatts (MW) at the Majuba power station as a result.
Economist Mike Schüssler said loadshedding boded ill for SA’s credit rating‚ growth prospects and chances of creating jobs.
“It’s taking them back to early 2008‚ where we have a 1.5% growth rate. This is going to hurt the economy a lot. We are probably going to see a growth rate below 1.4%; it will be closer to 1%,” he said.
Eskom CEO Tshediso Matona said the costs of the collapse had yet to be determined and an investigation would look at the cause and “possible preventative measures”.
He said Eskom did not suspect foul play in the collapse of the silo.
Matona said the 13-year-old Majuba power station‚ which supplies a tenth of SA’s electricity‚ was the youngest station run by Eskom.
In yesterday’s statement the parastatal said work at Majuba power station had progressed better than anticipated.
“Teams have worked non-stop since the incident on Saturday and have been able to connect coal feeder units which have enabled us to ramp up the supply from 600MW to 1200MW.”
The utility asked South Africans to use electricity sparingly.
“Less is more this summer and homeowners and businesses can do so with just four steps: first, switching off geysers and pool pumps; second, switching off non-essential lights; third, efficient use of air-conditioners by keeping the room temperature at 23°C; and finally, responding to the alerts on TV each evening.”
Provincial health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said none of the department’s facilities were affected by loadshedding as they had installed back up generators.
King Sabata Dalindyebo spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza urged residents to take extra caution when using gas, paraffin stoves or candles to cook or light.
For more information log on to — Additional reporting by Khulekani Magubane, BDLive
Good progress at Eskom to minimise blackout
In a statement yesterday the parastatal said the risk of loadshedding had reduced significantly and the prognosis for the week was better than expected.
However, Eskom warned “the system will be under extreme pressure on Wednesday and Thursday as the water reserves that we built up over the weekend for our peaking plants will be depleted”.
This comes on the back of the annoucement from the power utility that it was instituting week-long sporadic power cuts around the country after damage was reported to the coal silo at its Majuba Plant in Mpumalanga on the weekend.
Eskom said it had lost up to 1800 megawatts (MW) at the Majuba power station as a result.
Economist Mike Schüssler said loadshedding boded ill for SA’s credit rating‚ growth prospects and chances of creating jobs.
“It’s taking them back to early 2008‚ where we have a 1.5% growth rate. This is going to hurt the economy a lot. We are probably going to see a growth rate below 1.4%; it will be closer to 1%,” he said.
Eskom CEO Tshediso Matona said the costs of the collapse had yet to be determined and an investigation would look at the cause and “possible preventative measures”.
He said Eskom did not suspect foul play in the collapse of the silo.
Matona said the 13-year-old Majuba power station‚ which supplies a tenth of SA’s electricity‚ was the youngest station run by Eskom.
In yesterday’s statement the parastatal said work at Majuba power station had progressed better than anticipated.
“Teams have worked non-stop since the incident on Saturday and have been able to connect coal feeder units which have enabled us to ramp up the supply from 600MW to 1200MW.”
The utility asked South Africans to use electricity sparingly.
“Less is more this summer and homeowners and businesses can do so with just four steps: first, switching off geysers and pool pumps; second, switching off non-essential lights; third, efficient use of air-conditioners by keeping the room temperature at 23°C; and finally, responding to the alerts on TV each evening.”
Provincial health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said none of the department’s facilities were affected by loadshedding as they had installed back up generators.
King Sabata Dalindyebo spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza urged residents to take extra caution when using gas, paraffin stoves or candles to cook or light.
For more information log on to — Additional reporting by Khulekani Magubane, BDLive
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos