De Ruyter says less likelihood of load shedding this winter

Eskom CEO André de Ruyter said on Wednesday evening that the chances of load shedding this winter has been significantly reduced due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

During a parliament meeting, De Ruyter told MPs that the reduced demand for electricity during lockdown has assisted their plans to implement short-term maintenance plans at some plants.

“We believe that with these interventions that the likelihood of load shedding for the coming winter has been significantly reduced from our previous forecast,” De Ruyter said.

The dramatic loss of demand meant that Eskom’s revenue is going to decrease at an R2.5 billion for April, with the full financial impact of lockdown yet to be assessed.

De Ruyter believes when lockdown regulations are relaxed over time, they will be able to meet the increased demands by returning some units to service.

The power utility last implemented load shedding in early March, with De Ruyter stressing the system remained unstable.

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