Several parts of Soweto and the Vaal are again without power as Eskom implements load reductions in high-density areas to avoid the network overloading. Eskom says load reduction started at 5pm and will last until 10pm.
The cash strapped power utility has bemoaned the high number of illegal connections in many parts of the country and has urged people, and municipalities, to pay for the electricity they use.
Eskom power supply constraints under spotlight:
Gauteng Eskom spokesperson Reneiloe Semenya listed the areas in Soweto affected by load reduction.
“Dobsonville, Dube, Central Western Jabavu, Klipspruit, Meadowlands East Zones 1, 2,3,4,5. Meadowlands West Zones 6, 7, 8,9,10. Mofolo Central, Mofolo North, Mofolo South, Orlando East & Orlando West. Vaal Boitumelo, Drieziek, Evaton Central, Evaton, Evaton West, Orange Farm, Poortje, Sebokeng Zones 8,12,13,14,16 and 19, Small Farms. West Rand Cosmo City & Zandspruit.”
Eskom net loss
In October, Eskom announced disappointing financial results for the financial year that ended March 2020.
The power utility said its unsustainable debt burden led to net finance cost of R31.2 billion, which resulted in a net loss of R20.5 billion.
Eskom also revealed that the country’s municipal debt has gone to more than R28 billion.
The power utility’s Chief Executive Officer Andre de Ruyter said Eskom needs to reduce its debt levels to restore financial sustainability.
“We also had some significant issues relating to the global economic environment relating to the sovereign credit downgrade all against the backdrop of COVID-19. So it was a challenging time, all these happening at the same time but is not all doom and gloom, we are making good progress.”
Eskom Annual Results media briefing:
