By Natasha Prince
A reduction in demand, an increase in coal stockpiles and the general disruptiveness of load-shedding were key to Eskom's decision to suspend load-shedding.
Eskom general manager Andrew Etzinger said on Wednesday that those were the three factors that led to Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga's decision to suspend load-shedding.
He was speaking at a power crisis coping forum, hosted by the SA Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE). The conference was aimed largely at the business community, which has the ability to develop strategies to cope with the power crisis over the next five years and beyond.
The workshop included senior representatives from Eskom, local authorities from the city and some of the country's top engineering experts, business and industrial management, and private consumers.
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He said that from a demand point of view there had been savings of between 5 percent and 8 percent which "was not exactly the expected 10 percent" but would provide sufficient relief. In terms of coal supplies, about a 15 percent coal stockpile was recovered.
"Load-shedding is generally disruptive and has always been considered a last resort, so when the first opportunity presented itself to review the situation we took it." If they restarted load-shedding the utility would provide ample notification.
Etzinger was questioned about coal exports to China and India. He said coal was available and that 75 percent of additional coal recovery would hold well into the future. They were exporting to China and India, but pricing was the major factor.
SAIEE former president Ian McKechnie said the workshop aimed to provide business and private consumers with advice on self-help strategies. He warned that the session was not an Eskom or City of Cape Town bashing session.
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