State utility Eskom will make more power cuts this week as it struggles with capacity shortages that threaten to stymie President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to boost investments and economic growth.
Eskom supplies more than 90% of the power in SA but has suffered repeated faults at its coal-fired power stations, along with low water levels at hydroelectric plants and diesel shortages.
Ramaphosa told eNCA television on Monday the power cuts were worrying and authorities were working to restore power.
The situation worsened on Saturday after Eskom lost its electricity imports from the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric system, which contributes more than 1,000MW to the SA grid, after a cyclone hit Mozambique.
Eskom said late on Sunday it would continue to implement rolling blackouts on Monday and Tuesday with 4,000MW to be cut from the grid on a rotational basis.
Businesses have been disrupted, particularly small and medium-sized firms which do not have access to backup power sources such as diesel generators.
Vincent Xaba, a manager at Tsa African Restaurant in Johannesburg, said he had to throw away 25kg of meat worth about R8,000 after his freezer stayed without power for too long.
“We’re losing a lot of money and a lot of customers. Our meat is getting spoiled, our drinks are getting warm. Everything is in a big mess,” Xaba said inside the dark, empty restaurant.
Jacob Munthali, an employee at Harvey Refrigeration & Air Condition, said the situation was stressful. “We can’t check or fix appliances without electricity,” he said. “I’ve got a family to support so if the boss is not getting anything that means me too as an employee won’t get anything.”
Eskom’s power station performance has deteriorated steeply in part because of delays to critical maintenance work. Long-term neglect means there are no quick fixes. The power cuts, have also prompted frustrations among ordinary people ahead of an election in May.
