Energy analyst, Chris Yelland, is optimistic that South Africans will not experience load shedding over Christmas.
Eskom said this week that its teams were working around the clock to ensure that the country does not have blackouts during the festive season. Although load shedding is currently being conducted rotationally, the power utility says the closure of many businesses next week will ease pressure on the grid.
Yelland points out that several factors could ensure that South Africans do not experience load shedding during the festive season.
“I don’t think we are going to have a dark Christmas. I think in the very short term things are going to improve and are already improving as PetroSA comes back online to alleviate supply shortages… Koeberg will be back online before Christmas, and there is reduction in electricity demand. So I think we are going to get through this Christmas period. Of course, the crunch comes on the 15th of January when the country gets back into swing and we will see what happens then – if there will be further load shedding.”
Meanwhile, Eskom has announced Stage One load shedding for Saturday – until 22:00.
#PowerAlert 1 : #Eskom to implement Stage 1 rotational #loadshedding at 09:00. @CityPowerJhb @City_Ekurhuleni @CityofCT @CityofJoburgZA @eThekwiniM @CityTshwane @TrafficSA pic.twitter.com/zqEiOagnm2
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) December 8, 2018
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