Summer plan to keep the lights on due to lower demand

Eskom has dismissed claims that it will implement load shedding over the summer months.

This follows a recent statement by the DA’s public enterprises spokesperson, Natasha Mazzone, on September 19, that the state-owned utility issued a warning to municipalities of a strong possibility of load-shedding over the coming summer period.

“We have not communicated to any stakeholder that there will be load-shedding,” the electricity utility said in a media statement.

However, it conceded that the system remained tight, particularly in light of the recent increase in the theft and vandalising of electricity infrastructure.

While the risk of load shedding always exists, we remain confident that we are on course to keeping the lights on for South Africa this summer,” said chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer.

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Eskom has not implemented load shedding since March 23.

The demand in electricity was lower for most of winter due to warmer weather and the economic climate whilst other emergency resources such as demand response products and interruptible contracts (ILS) also contributed significantly towards morning and evening demand peak shaving.

“Eskom continues to encourage residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly. Please switch off geysers as well as all non-essential lighting and electricity appliances to assist in reducing demand. We will keep customers informed if there are any changes to the system.”

The state-owned utility said it will ramp up planned maintenance over the summer period, taking advantage of the overall reduced demand for electricity.

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