Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Eskom called on consumers on Thursday to reduce their electricity usage amid tight power supply during summer.
"Electricity users are urged to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly by 'Living Lightly' this summer," it said in its bi-weekly status bulletin.
Eskom said the power system will remain extremely tight until new generating capacity comes on stream and essential generation maintenance is done.
"The system outlook remains tight in summer, with different challenges due to the summer load profile.
The parastatal said in winter residential customers had the greatest impact, but in summer the pressure shifts to commercial customers.
It said shopping centres and retail outlets can make the biggest difference by installing energy efficient devices and lights.
Homeowners and businesses can follow four steps to save on:
- Switch off geysers and pool pumps;
- Switch off non-essential lights;
- Use air-conditioners efficiently by keeping the room temperature at 23°C; and
- Respond to alerts on TV each evening.
"We urge all South Africans to partner with us to save 10% of their electricity usage especially during peak periods, from 17:00 to 21:00," it concluded.
On Thursday, the electricity utility also welcomed a credit upgrade by Fitch Ratings.
The credit agency upgraded Eskom’s national ratings, saying the parastatal continued to reflect strong government support.
Eskom's outgoing chief executive Brian Dames said: “The positive rating action is very helpful at this critical time as Eskom continues to execute the current expansion programme.
"A positive rating adjustment will assist Eskom in accessing funding in capital markets and it will improve investor confidence.”
Dames will step down at the end of March and departs the power utility at a time when the country struggles to keep the lights on.
In December Fin24 reported that Eskom recorded a profit of R12.24bn for the six months ending September 30 2013, but warned that it will be somewhat eroded in the second half of the financial year.
- Fin24
"Electricity users are urged to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly by 'Living Lightly' this summer," it said in its bi-weekly status bulletin.
Eskom said the power system will remain extremely tight until new generating capacity comes on stream and essential generation maintenance is done.
"The system outlook remains tight in summer, with different challenges due to the summer load profile.
The parastatal said in winter residential customers had the greatest impact, but in summer the pressure shifts to commercial customers.
It said shopping centres and retail outlets can make the biggest difference by installing energy efficient devices and lights.
Homeowners and businesses can follow four steps to save on:
- Switch off geysers and pool pumps;
- Switch off non-essential lights;
- Use air-conditioners efficiently by keeping the room temperature at 23°C; and
- Respond to alerts on TV each evening.
"We urge all South Africans to partner with us to save 10% of their electricity usage especially during peak periods, from 17:00 to 21:00," it concluded.
On Thursday, the electricity utility also welcomed a credit upgrade by Fitch Ratings.
The credit agency upgraded Eskom’s national ratings, saying the parastatal continued to reflect strong government support.
Eskom's outgoing chief executive Brian Dames said: “The positive rating action is very helpful at this critical time as Eskom continues to execute the current expansion programme.
"A positive rating adjustment will assist Eskom in accessing funding in capital markets and it will improve investor confidence.”
Dames will step down at the end of March and departs the power utility at a time when the country struggles to keep the lights on.
In December Fin24 reported that Eskom recorded a profit of R12.24bn for the six months ending September 30 2013, but warned that it will be somewhat eroded in the second half of the financial year.
- Fin24
