Eskom warns of possible load shedding

Eskom warned South Africans of possible load shedding on Thursday evening, should further generating capacity losses occur.

Load shedding alert

This after a unit each at the Tutuka, Medupi and Majuba power stations tripped, while a unit at Lethabo was taken offline to repair a boiler tube leak on Thursday morning.

“While the system is currently performing relatively well, with no load shedding being implemented, a further loss of generation capacity would force Eskom to implement load shedding at short notice in order to protect the integrity of the system, particularly between 18:00 and 21:00 this evening,” said the power utility in a statement.

Illegal connections

The power utility has also called on South Africans to desist from connecting electricity illegally as it costs the government money.

“The rise in illegal connections is of grave concern. Electricity theft, illegal connections, meter tampering and bypassing and the buying & selling of illegal prepaid vouchers are costing the South African economy approximately R20 billion yearly,” it said.

Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde