Eskom\u2019s acting CEO Brian Molefe has announced during a media briefing that the company plans to increase maintenance work this winter and limit load shedding especially during business hours.<\/p>\n
Molefe also defended Eskom\u2019s application for a further tariff hike, stating it was needed to keep the lights on.<\/p>
\u201cThe latest tariff hike request is based on a number of factors, one of them being an available budget to keep buying diesel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Eskom uses diesel generators when the power system is constrained in order to keep the lights on and avoid load shedding.<\/p>
\u201cPurchasing diesel is cheaper than implementing load shedding, which has a major impact on the economy,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Eskom has applied for an additional 13.3 per cent tariff increase, above a 12 per cent price increase which has already been approved.<\/p>\n
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has indicated that even if this is approved, it will only be implemented in the next financial year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe power system is expected to remain constrained for at least the next two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cBalancing supply and demand during this period will be particularly difficult,\u201d Molefe said.<\/p>\n
Molefe urged all electricity users to continue using electricity sparingly in order to allow Eskom enough space to continue with the requisite maintenance.<\/p>\n
Read the full statement here<\/a>.<\/p>\n