Eskom calls on consumers to use power sparingly

Eskom has called on all consumers to reduce their electricity usage by at least 10 percent in order to reveal some of the pressure on the power grid.

It is reported that the system is currently under severe strain.

This due to the loss of additional generation capacity caused by technical faults and the change in weather conditions.

The utility has warned that if the required power is not saved from now until 8pm, it may have to implement load shedding.

Eskom spokesmen Andrew Etzinger said, “The demand for electricity is much higher than it normally is because of the cold and rainy weather.

“This puts the grid under severe strain.”

This latest warning comes off the heel of a silo collapsed at the Majuba Power Station in Mpumalanga, which lead to a number of blackouts.

The collapse is still under investigation, with reports indicating it may take up to six months to complete.