Will the lights stay on this Christmas?
Latest threat of load shedding increases the risk of blackouts on December 25.
Eskom’s problem continue, this time with the the temporary shut down of four generators on Tuesday.
Eskom however, released a statement stating that all four generators which stopped working had been fixed.
The statement went on to say that even after the repair of these generators the risk of load shedding remains high.
Eskom Chief Executive Officer Tshediso Matona previously warned that rolling blackouts will be a reality for the next few months as the company tries to stabilise the national power grid.
Even with Matona’s words Eskom remained confident the lights would stay on over Christmas.
After the latest threat to the power supply the risk of blackouts on December 25 has increased.
Eskon had previously stated that communities could look forward to a “load shedding free” festive season.
At the same time, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was appointed to help turnaround Eskom, Eskom’s inability to meet demand in December, when electricity usage usually dips, underscores the precarious state of South Africa’s power supply due to years of underfunding.
The utility, which supplies virtually all of South Africa’s power, said last month the government’s promised R20 billion cash injection wouldn’t be enough to ease funding constraints and help it avoid a credit downgrade.
