Johannesburg – South Africa’s power grid is becoming more vulnerable due to the approaching winter season and the resultant high electricity demand, Eskom said on Monday.
“The power system is vulnerable, and this will be the pattern especially as the cold weather sets in. There is now more demand for electricity in the evenings,” said Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe.
The power utility implemented stage 2 blackouts on Sunday after several generators broke down, he said.
Stage 1 allows for up to 1000MW of the national load to be saved, stage 2 for up to 2000MW, and stage 3 for up to 4000MW.
Khulu said consumers should use power sparingly as demand for power rises.
“There should be a trade off when using electricity especially this season. We advice consumers to switch off appliances. When using a heater for example, switch off lights in other rooms and the geyser,” he said.
Eskom would keep consumers updated as the day progresses, Phasiwe said.
ANA