While the risk of load shedding is minimal over the course of the day, there is risk of load shedding in the evening, Eskom said on Tuesday.
“Today’s prognosis is the same as yesterday. There is a low probability of rotational load shedding during the day as a result of power station units being returned to the system. However, the probability of rotational load shedding increases for the evening peak period from 5pm to 9pm due to the normal expected increase in demand,” said the power utility.
Eskom started load shedding last Thursday as a result of industrial action, which led to the generation and distribution of electricity across its network being constrained due to acts of sabotage and intimidation.
Load shedding is conducted as a last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.
Meanwhile, the power utility encouraged residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly to ease the demand of electricity.
Wage negotiations begin
Eskom, together with its three labour unions -- the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Solidarity -- go back to the negotiating table today.
The talks aim to bring an end to protest action, which began last Thursday and has disrupted the supply of electricity.
On Friday, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan convened a meeting with the Eskom board and management of the labour unions with the intention of getting all parties to engage on the issues around the employee salary negotiations.
On Monday, NUM said it will fully participate in the wage negotiations that will continue until Thursday.
“The National Union of Mineworkers will fully participate in the Eskom wage negotiations at the Cedarwood Park in Woodmead. NUM is not calling for the postponement of the Eskom wage negotiations,” NUM said.
It said its congress, which gets underway on Wednesday, will not affect the wage negotiations.
Protest action started following the announcement by the utility that there would be a 0% wage increment for workers.
On Friday, Gordhan said it was “agreed that the 0% offer from Eskom is off the table”. – SAnews.gov.za
