Load shedding on the cards today

123rf.com

In a late night statement on Monday, the power utility said the risk of load shedding remains as a result of the current industrial action at Eskom power stations which has impacted operations.

Industrial action

Eskom said it is engaging union leaders on the matter.

“Eskom is urgently engaging union leaders to resolve the impasse as the current industrial action has negatively impacted plant operations and several power stations. The South African Police Services has been mobilised to maintain order and to enable safe access to power stations as these are National Key Points,” said the utility.

The industrial action is as a result of Eskom and the trade unions not finding each other at the Central Bargaining Forum (CBF) last week Friday, where the unions planned to provide feedback on the wage offer Eskom tabled on 17 July 2018.

On 27 JuIy 2018, the parties met and deliberated on the wages and the additional demand for bonuses and jointly resolved to reconvene on Friday, 3 August 2018, for further talks.

Loadshedding

“The power utility said it will advise if load shedding will be conducted in either stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 or stage 4, dependent on the capacity shortage,” said the power utility.

Load shedding is conducted rotationally as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.

For Eskom customers load shedding schedules are available on the Eskom website (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za). Eskom customers can also contact the customer contact centre at 0860 037 566.