Electricity system severely strained - Eskom

Johannesburg - A power emergency was declared for a second consecutive day on Thursday, Eskom said.

"[Eskom] declared an emergency at about 16:00," spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said.

"This is because of significantly higher electricity demand associated with the cold weather which has moved into the Gauteng province."

Eskom said the power system will remain under significant strain between 17:00 and 21:00 on Thursday evening.

Earlier, the power utility said the capacity available to meet Thursday evening’s peak demand was 34 265 MW (including open cycle gas turbines), while demand was forecast at 35 080 MW.

Current planned maintenance stood at 3 660 MW.

In order to avoid deliberate power cuts, Eskom asked electricity users to switch off non-essential appliances between 17:00 and 21:00.

It asked commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, to switch off non-essential lights.

Earlier, Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said deliberate power cuts were highly likely on Thursday evening. This would depend on circumstances.

The parastatal said if the cuts became necessary it would use the published schedules available on its website.

The power utility declared a power emergency on Wednesday night.