The 21-day lockdown is placing many a company and individual in a tight spot financially, but for Eskom it seems that the power utility can finally breathe a little easier.
According to a statement published on Sunday, demand for power in South Africa is down by more than 7.5 GW, and it anticipates further decreases as the lockdown continues.
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The drop is so massive that the utility’s currently taking some power plants off the grid in order to preserve them.
Date: 29 March 2020
No loadshedding is expected during the COVID-19 lockdown as demand has dropped@News24 @Newzroom405 @IOL @SABCNewsOnline @TheCitizen_News @SAfmRadio @POWER987News @ukhozi_fm @METROFMSA @ewnupdates pic.twitter.com/wa4Xtmi7kt
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 29, 2020
Bar any massive issues, it’s unlikely we’ll see any load shedding during the lockdown. However, the utility is also using this time to perform “short-term maintenance and other repairs” ahead of the country’s reawakening.
The lockdown, which is set to last three weeks, commenced on Friday 27 March.
Memeburn’s additional Eskom and load shedding coverage
For more articles related to Eskom’s power crisis, be sure to visit and bookmark our Eskom coverage.
- Looking for load shedding schedules? We’ve compiled a list of schedules, from stage 1 through 8, for the country’s largest cities and municipalities.
- If you need a battery backup to get you through the dark, Gearburn takes a look at some of the highest used-rated UPS units on sale in South Africa.
- Require pocket power instead? Gearburn takes a look at five power banks currently on sale in South Africa for under R200.
Memeburn’s rolling COVID-19 coronavirus coverage
For more details on the COVID-19 outbreak, including breaking news, reliable sources to follow, online information and courses, and more, bookmark our coronavirus hub here.
- Keep track of South Africa’s rising COVID-19 numbers through Wits University’s extremely detailed dashboard.
- Follow our Twitter list of scientists, government personnel and reporters covering the outbreak.
- Educate yourself about the virus through these online courses and important resources from WHO, the US CDC, South Africa’s NICD, and more.
- Keep up to speed with the number of cases with this helpful dashboard.
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Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn
