POWER utility Eskom said this weekend will see a very high risk of load shedding as the power system remains constrained.
“There is a high risk of load shedding over the weekend. A portion of the capacity normally imported from Cahora Bassa [in Mozambique] will be unavailable on Sunday as the plant undergoes urgent planned maintenance,” said Eskom in a statement on Thursday.
The weekend will also be used to build up water reserves for the pumped storage schemes that use water to generate electricity.
“We need to conserve diesel supplies to support the week ahead. The capacity available to meet demand for electricity will be reduced, as a result increasing the need for rotational load shedding.”
Eskom has targeted the weekend to conduct load shedding, should the need arise, on purpose so as to limit the impact on the economy.
The power utility will update the public on the status on an ongoing basis.