Eskom announces Stage 2 load-shedding for Sunday
The power utility is implementing electricity cuts for the first time in 2019
Eskom has announced the implementation of stage 2 load-shedding on Sunday, two months after the last round of power-cuts hit the country. The cuts are expected to start at 1pm and continue to 9pm. “This is as a result of a shortage of capacity. There is also a need to replenish and preserve emergency water and diesel resources to limit load-shedding possibility or magnitude thereof in the following week,” the cash-strapped power utility said in a statement. Stage 2 calls for 2000MW to be shed from the national grid. Eskom is deep in a financial and operational crisis, with a debt burden of R419bn, which it is unable to service from the revenue it earns. It is also straining to keep the lights on, with multiple breakdowns of its old plant due to neglected maintenance. The return of load-shedding follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement in the state of the nation address on Thursday that Eskom will be remodelled and split into three state-owned entities dealing with generation...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.