Eskom load shedding

Photo by Iván Rivero from Pexels

Eskom issue stern response to fears about “imminent load shedding”

A rumour has been doing the rounds, claiming that load shedding is returning to South Africa. Eskom have now issued an official response on the matter.

Eskom load shedding

Photo by Iván Rivero from Pexels

Eskom have categorically denied that load shedding will take place in the next six weeks, as alluded to by the DA’s Natasha Mazzone on Thursday. They have confirmed that no disruptions are planned between now and summer, pouring cold water on suggestions that the energy crisis we saw at the start of 2019 is due for a return.

Read here: Natasha Mazzone claims load shedding is set to return “this month”

Load shedding on the horizon? Apparently not

The DA were adamant that something huge was brewing. There has been a wide-ranging suspicion that load shedding would soon return to Mzansi. Last month, two energy experts claimed that we were on borrowed time with our uninterrupted electricity supply. Mazzone voiced her own concerns this week:

“We have received reliable information that Eskom has warned municipalities about the strong possibility of rolling blackouts in the months of September and October. In the interests of informing the people of South Africa and businesses, DA has written to Jabu Mabuza to seek clarity about the potential rolling blackouts.”

Natasha Mazzone

The lights haven’t gone out in South Africa since March. Emergency interventions managed to get the grid up and running once more, but after six months of success, it has been suggested that Eskom may be reaching the end of the road again – something the energy firm has robustly rejected.

Eskom set the record straight on “blackout” rumours

Their recently-issued statement starts off as a stern rebuke, but the company have conceded that it will be ‘touch and go’ when plant maintenance gets underway later this year. They are still encouraging South Africans to be ecomonical with their electricity consumption, as the country looks to avoid another round of blackouts.

“We would like to assure our customers that no load shedding is planned for either September or October, as indicated by the Democratic Alliance statement on Thursday. While no load shedding is expected over the summer, the system is still vulnerable and tight as we ramp up plant maintenance.”

“Eskom CEO Jabu Mabuza is open to discuss these details with Natasha Mazzone [Shadow Public Enterprises Minister]. We continue to encourage residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly. We will keep customers informed about any change to the system”

Eskom statement on load shedding rumours