Switch off, Eskom warns

A woman bought Diesel for her generator in springs after a widespread power outage since Friday morning where a electric tower had collapsed after essential metal were stolen from the structure.620 Picture:Matthews Baloyi 2014/06/08

A woman bought Diesel for her generator in springs after a widespread power outage since Friday morning where a electric tower had collapsed after essential metal were stolen from the structure.620 Picture:Matthews Baloyi 2014/06/08

Published Oct 30, 2014

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Durban - Eskom has warned consumers to preserve electricity or face possible load shedding.

The power utility said yesterday its system was “severely constrained” and would remain so for the rest of the week.

This was due to technical problems experienced at some of the power stations and the loss of additional generating units, Eskom’s chief executive, Tshediso Matona, said

“We are transitioning into a typical summer load profile and a period when maintenance is increased. As the system is tight, any additional problems experienced on the plant increase the risk of load shedding,” Matona said.

“This risk will continue into November. We are doing everything we can to ensure the continued supply of electricity.”

However, should the demand decrease over this period, load shedding would not be implemented.

Eskom has alerted key industrial customers to reduce their load by a minimum of 10 percent.

It has urged the public to switch off geysers, pool pumps, air conditioning and all non-essential appliances from 6pm to 8pm. And staff should switch off the lights when they left office buildings, it said.

The utility’s load-shedding schedules are available on the Eskom website, http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za

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