High risk of blackouts as Eskom start maintenance

According to Eskom spokesman, Hilary Joffe, the warmer weather does not spell the end of power blackouts as the summer period is "more challenging than winter".

The National Planning Commission's Anton Eberhard told Parliamentarians that the currently low reserve margin meant that electricity supply was "tight".

Business Day says that as Eskom starts its maintenance programme, less plant is available to generate power and if there is a cold snap or higher than expected demand for electricity, there is a risk of widespread power failures.

Read more:

• Business Day: Eskom warns of blackout risk as it does maintenance
  
• Up-to-date statistics on electricity supply