Eskom says the power system is currently stable making the risk of load shedding low for Sunday‚ which means South Africans have now gone five weeks without having to experience load shedding.

However‚ the power utility cautioned that on Monday it will undertake planned maintenance on the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric scheme together with Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB).

“As a result‚ South Africa will get 650 MW instead of the 1‚500 MW that is normally imported from Cahora Bassa on a daily basis. This maintenance is expected to be completed on Sunday‚ 20 September and the scheme is expected to be back on full power on Monday‚ 21 September‚” Eskom said.

It added that the power system will be tight‚ particularly over the weekday evening peak periods from Tuesday to Friday.

“Eskom will utilise its emergency reserves to augment the capacity shortfall as a result of this planned outage‚” it said.

The power utility also pointed out that‚ as the weather begins to warm up‚ usage of electricity becomes high for most of the day predominantly due to the increased usage of air-conditioners‚ geysers and pool pumps.

“We call on all electricity users to continue using electricity sparingly in order to reduce the risk of load shedding. Businesses and households can make a difference by implementing saving measures in their processes and daily lives.”