Eskom has announced that the lights will stay on this Christmas. The struggling power utility suspended loadshedding last week Thursday and has since extended it for another week. The last time Mzansi had an uninterrupted power supply for a week was in October during the Rugby World Cup.
IMPROVED GENERATION CAPACITY
In a statement, Eskom spokesperson Daphney Mokwena said: "Eskom would like to announce that due to consistent improvement in available generation capacity and the lower demand, as well as sufficient emergency reserves, load shedding will remain suspended until next week Friday at 16:00," Mokwena added that the power utility will closely monitor the power system and communicate should any significant changes occur.
ELECTRICITY GRID STRONGER THAN IN WINTER
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopha said that the country's electricity grid is 3000 megawatts (MW) stronger than it was in winter. "It is important that during this period of low demand, we can take this opportunity to ensure we accelerate maintenance. What has been our experience is that when the units have gone out on planned maintenance and when they return on average, they continue to perform and remain on load," he said on Thursday. Ramokgopha added that maintenance programme over the last few weeks has led to the country's electricity system being 'healthy'. "We are going to benefit exceptionally well as a country for us to continue on this path of planned maintenance."
