Utility to carry out maintenance
TROUBLED Eskom will be taking advantage of the low electricity demand over the festive season to try to fast-track maintenance at its coalfired plants.
The power utility recently announced national load shedding, citing a collapsed coal storage silo, a short supply of diesel and water, and the weather as reasons for the shortage in supply.
Eskom said it hoped to return the energy availability to 75% by November next year.
“These concerted efforts will result in a higher-than-usual number of coal trucks, especially on the major roads to and from the coal-fired power stations and coal mines, mostly situated in the Mpumalanga Province.”
Chief executive Phakamani Hadebe said: “While the restoration of the power system is an overarching objective, the safety of all South Africans on our roads remains a priority.
“We therefore urge our people to be vigilant and obey the rules of the road at all times.”
This is as large shipments of coal will be transported across the country on the roads.
Hadebe added that Eskom will stop coal haulage during high-peak days where the volume of travellers increases on the roads from December 24 to December 27 and again from December 31 to January 1.
“Furthermore, noting that Mpumalanga is the gateway to neighbouring countries, namely eSwatini and Mozambique, South Africans planning to travel to these countries over this period are urged to properly plan their trips.
“Travellers must take into account the high number of coal trucks as well as the operating hours of the border gates to these countries to avoid a last-minute rush.”