Eskom forced to start load shedding as illegal strikes hit home
The power utility cuts electricity across SA as a result of industrial action
Eskom started load shedding for the first time in years on Thursday night due to constraints to supply as a result of industrial action. The utility activated stage one of the load-shedding exercise, implying there was a demand to save up to 1,000MW of electricity in order to prevent the national grid from total collapse. “Eskom calls on all consumers to assist by reducing their electricity consumption to reduce the risk of load shedding by switching off geysers, heating, pool pumps and all nonessential appliances tonight from 5pm to 8pm,” the utility said. Power outages were experienced in different cities across the country. City Power, which supplies electricity to Johannesburg, also issued warnings, saying it may have to activate stage two load shedding to save 2,000MW. By Thursday night it was not clear whether industrialists and mining companies that use bulk electricity had also been told to reduce consumption.
Business Day understands industry was closely monitoring th...
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