Eskom mulls minimum stage 2, 3 load shedding over next two years
Power utility Eskom is considering keeping load shedding at a minimum of stage 2 and stage 3 over the next two years.
This is according to Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana.
Makwana spoke during an Eskom update on the current system challenges at a media briefing on Sunday.
"We want to ensure that we create some predictability by implementing some level of permanent stages between stage 2 and 3 load shedding for the next two years in order to give sufficient space for maintenance while giving the country a level of predictability or consistency to plan livelihoods better."
But the DA’s Kevin Mileham says this will continue to place a burden on the economy.
"Essentially, South Africans are being asked to stay in the dark for four hours a day while paying extortionate electricity tariffs which are due to rise by 33,77% over the next 16 months. What is more infuriating is that the ANC government has, for the past week, been telling the country outright lies to the effect that load shedding will be a thing of the past.
"First, it was Gwede Mantashe who said he could end load shedding in 6 to 12 months, and then Enoch Godongwana who claimed that power cuts will end in 12 to 18 months. Eskom has rubbished these claims and placed the country on permanent load shedding for two years with no guarantees after that."
