Motlanthe: No SWC black-outs

2010-03-11 18:02

Cape Town - Barring a natural disaster, there will be no electricity black-outs during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday.

"I think we can definitely give that guarantee that there will be no black-outs, unless of course a major national disaster happens..." he told MPs in the National Council of Provinces.

Motlanthe had earlier been asked if he could offer such a guarantee to local industry, and world soccer governing body Fifa, that there would be no black-outs during the June 11 to July 11 event, a period that coincides with peak winter electricity demand.

The deputy president said he was confident steps already taken around the country would enable it to manage electricity demand during this period.

"All stadiums will run on diesel generators, [and] the electricity grid will serve as back-up... [Power utility] Eskom has also assured us that there will be no power interruptions during the World Cup," Motlanthe said.
 

- SAPA