Business counts cost as Eskom battles power shortages
Utility sheds 4,000MW from the grid as Mozambican supplies are interrupted by cyclone
State utility Eskom will make more power cuts this week as it struggles with capacity shortages that threaten to stymie President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to boost investments and economic growth. Eskom supplies more than 90% of the power in SA but has suffered repeated faults at its coal-fired power stations, along with low water levels at hydroelectric plants and diesel shortages. Ramaphosa told eNCA television on Monday the power cuts were worrying and authorities were working to restore power. The situation worsened on Saturday after Eskom lost its electricity imports from the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric system, which contributes more than 1,000MW to the SA grid, after a cyclone hit Mozambique. Eskom said late on Sunday it would continue to implement rolling blackouts on Monday and Tuesday with 4,000MW to be cut from the grid on a rotational basis. Businesses have been disrupted, particularly small and medium-sized firms which do not have access to backup power sources such as d...
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