Despite earlier announcements Eskom says the power system is only expected to stabilise in mid-December, when businesses start closing for the festive season.
South Africans, meanwhile, have been urged to prepare for more load shedding this weekend, as the grid remains severely constrained.
The weekend blackouts were due to general upkeep measures at the Cahora-Bassa hydroelectric power station in Mozambique.
South Africa imports a portion of its electricity from the scheme.
Eskom’s Andrew Etzinger said yesterday that the system is severely constrained at the moment.
“We’re using our gas turbines and our pump storage power stations very extensively to keep the lights on and these simply won’t be able to continue at the current rate until the weekend, unfortunately.”
If load shedding is implemented on Saturday and Sunday, it will be the third consecutive weekend of load shedding.
When businesses start closing ahead of Christmas the system is expected to be more stable, although Eskom will continue with its summer maintenance programme.
Eskom has been battling with increased demand due to a shortage of diesel and water reserves for the gas turbines and water pumps, as well as several problems at its Majuba Power Station in Mpumalanga.
No more “sigh of relief” for the community
Earlier this week, the power giant suggested that the community could breathe a sigh of relief, with no load shedding expected in December.
It, however,reiterated the public should brace itself for regular load shedding over the next few years.
Etzinger even said the prognosis for the festive season looks good.
“As the schools close and as businesses close towards Christmas, we see a good amount of electricity which stabilises the grid.”
