Little danger of electricity cuts during Eskom’s maintenance period

By Lelethu Mquqo
9 April 2011

Eskom spokesperson Ayanda Shezi says there is little danger of rolling blackouts during the company’s maintenance period next month.

Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said earlier that that Eskom would be under strain until the middle of next month.

Shezi says the minister was referring to the fact that South Africans should use electricity more efficiently.

However, Gigaba said in his statement yesterday that the reality is that Eskom faces a challenge during the generation maintenance season.

Gigaba said there was not enough of a window to do the necessary levels of maintenance to ensure that the winter peak electricity demand can be sustained.