The probability of load shedding is high this evening but it will only be implemented if absolutely necessary, Eskom said on Wednesday.
“While Eskom has not implemented rotational load shedding this morning, an alert for stage 1 rotational load shedding from 5pm to 9pm has been issued. Load shedding will only be implemented as a last resort once all other emergency reserves have been exhausted,” said the power utility.
Should load shedding be implemented this evening it would be for a period of up to four hours. Stage 1 load shedding requires 1000MW to be loadshed nationwide.
Eskom encouraged customers to continue using electricity sparingly while also asking them to switch off geysers and non-essential lighting.
Wage negotiations
The power utility on Wednesday engaged in a second day of wage negotiations with the three labour unions which are currently engaged in protest action that got underway last Thursday.
The talks aim to bring an end to protest action, which started last Thursday and has disrupted the supply of electricity.
On the first day of talks with the unions – the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Solidarity – on Tuesday the utility announced a 4.7% wage offer.
The strike followed the announcement of a 0% wage increment for workers.
“Eskom is offering a four-year wage deal with a guaranteed increase based on inflation. For the year 2018 the offer is 4.7%, and an inflation based increase every year thereafter for the next four years. All other demands which have been submitted remain unaltered,” said NUMSA.
The negotiations are expected to conclude on Thursday.
