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Eskom: Another expert explains why load shedding “will return in August”

There seems to be a growing consensus among industry analysts that load shedding will make a return to South Africa next month, as Eskom limps forward.

load shedding eskom

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Now might be a good time to invest in some candles: The spectre of load shedding is on the horizon, according to Intellidex analyst Peter Attard Montalto. He’s the second expert within the last few weeks who has predicted another round of Eskom power cuts before the end of winter.

Experts fear another round of load shedding “before September”

Montalto was speaking to Radio 702 on Tuesday morning. he told the broadcaster that the stricken electricity producer still hasn’t resolved major issues with its new power plants, and generation remains a massive challenge for Eskom – the grid “had a wobble” earlier this month, with power supply to Zimbabwe and Namibia affected.

“There’s always this gloss that’s put on everything and that’s what we don’t need. There is actually a very strong risk of load-shedding coming up at the end of August and into the start of September, so it will be interesting to see if they recognise that.”

“That risk has been talked about a lot amongst large users of electricity users in South Africa, and we should remember that the operational issues have not been fixed but have been put to bed during the winter months. They will come back as we move towards summer.”

Intellidex analyst Peter Attard Montalto

Why Eskom could pull the plug

Reports surfaced earlier in the month that Eskom was “struggling to meet demand” due to a shortage in capacity. Although the firm is unwilling to call in an early warning for load shedding, energy expert Ted Blom definitely was. He predicted that August would see the lights go out once more across South Africa

Blom also pointed out that Pravin Gordhan had made this point earlier this year. His plans to save Eskom stated there would be no load shedding up until August. Check your calendars, we seem to be right on schedule.

Load shedding in South Africa

The last round of load shedding inflicted on Mzansi in March was nothing short of painful. Schedules were in place for up to 15 hours each day in some places, and there were rumours than an unprecedented “Stage 5” blackout was secretly foisted upon an unsuspecting public.

We may be heading into our fifth-consecutive month without load shedding, but Montalto and Blom are convinced it will be our last. The fears come as Eskom are set to swallow another R122 billion of government bailouts in the next 18 months. Some things genuinely do not change.