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Electricity supply still on high alert

Cape Town - Eskom boss Brian Dames on Friday called on all electricity consumers to adopt energy saving as a way of life as the system remains constrained, according to a statement.

"We continue to rely on the partnerships we have with all our customers – industrial, commercial and residential – for the necessary voluntary energy savings of at least 10% in order to reduce pressure on the system," said Eskom chief executive Brian Dames, who will step down at the end of March.   

"It is therefore important for all electricity consumers to adopt energy saving as a way of life.”

On Thursday, the energy utility declared a electricity emergency due to the loss of additional generating units, reduced imports and the extensive use of emergency reserves.

The power emergency was lifted on Thursday evening because pressure on the system eased slightly, but it remained vulnerable, Eskom said.

Eskom urged on Friday all electricity consumers to sustain the reduction of demand throughout the day.

"Demand for electricity remained very high on Friday morning, which necessitated Eskom to use its normal operational reserves and additional emergency reserves."

It said that is expects the system to be constrained until next week.

"We are working hard to increase our reserve margin by ensuring that we have adequate emergency reserves including water, coal and diesel supplies," it said.

"Our technical teams are also working to return generating units that are primarily out of service due to mechanical failures."

Eskom indicated that the power system will remain under pressure until new generating capacity comes on stream and essential generation maintenance is done.

It also urged commercial and residential customers to reduce electricity consumption.

As the power utility struggles to keep the country's lights on, economists have cautioned how it is stunting economic growth.

They blame a range of problems linked to management weaknesses at national and company level, warn that there is little prospect of improvement soon, and suggest that nuclear and shale energy may be needed.

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

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