Peak periods placing strain on national power grid

There is currently no planned load shedding as Eskom has enough generating capacity to meet the demand.

However, the power system is expected to be constrained during the evening peak period (5pm – 9pm), mainly due to the increased electricity demand and generating units being out of service due to maintenance.

The electricity system remains significantly constrained today and for the rest of the week, this means that the risk of load shedding is very high during evening peak periods.

Eskom therefore request that South Africans continue to use electricity sparingly and make this a lifestyle as we are managing a very tight system.

Eskom calls on all South Africans to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly.

Homeowners and businesses can do so with just four steps:

•  First, switching off geysers and pool pumps;
•  Second, switching off non-essential lights;
•  Third, efficient use of air-conditioners by keeping the room temperature at 23 degrees Celsius;
•  Fourth, responding to the alerts on TV each evening.

Commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, can also make a big difference by switching off non-essential lights and not leaving office equipment such as photocopiers and computers in standby mode after hours.

Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system through all the media platforms.