Eskom says risk of load shedding is low

Johannesburg - Eskom says the electricity supply is expected to be tight for the next few days, but the risk of load shedding is low.

Eskom said on Thursday that the electricity supply system was expected to be tight, because several units that had been out of commission because of maintenance, had been returned to service.

The power utility nevertheless asked consumers to help alleviate pressure by reducing electricity usage as much as possible.

Eskom called on all South Africans to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly by “Living Lightly” this summer.

It asked homeowners and businesses to follow four steps:

- 1)  Switch off geysers and pool pumps;

- 2)  Switch off non-essential lights;

- 3)  Use air conditioners efficiently by keeping the room temperature at 23°C, and finally

- 4)  Responding to alerts broadcast on TV each evening.

Eskom said it expected the demand in electricity would be in line with expectations for this time of the year and urged customers to reduce electricity usage throughout the day to help ease pressure on the system.

The utility said it continued to make progress with its programme of planned maintenance, but urged South Africans to cut down on electricity usage throughout the day.