Unexpected power cuts across SA
2008-03-18 09:19
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Eskom is set to seek a 34% hike in electricity tariffs, back from the 88% rise it had been considering due to the global economic slowdown, a newspaper says.
Aldi Schoeman
Johannesburg - Power cuts were felt countrywide on Monday after four power generators broke down unexpectedly over the weekend.
Cold and rainy conditions caused more demand for electricity too, said Andrew Etzinger, Eskom's General Manager of Business Strategy. The power cuts are expected to continue until Thursday.
From 06:45 to about 14:00, the system had a shortage of 1 000 MW and after that demand increased and there was a shortage of 1 500 MW.
Eskom had hoped to begin loadshedding on March 31 and that this would be enough, but the faulty power generators put a spanner in the works. There are also problems with the coal supply.
Nto Rikhotso, an Eskom spokesperson said the chance of power cuts over the long weekend were slim as demand was lower.
- Beeld