Pretoria - South Africa's power supply is expected to be tight over the next few weeks, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba says.
"[In] the next 18 months, particularly the next few weeks, it is expected to be the tightest. We've endured thus far," Gigaba told media on Friday as the country enters the coldest months of the year and when electricity consumption spikes.
Added to this, Eskom was set to continue with routine maintenance which would increase risk to the system but it was necessary.
"A very tight balance between supply and demand remains," noted the minister.
The situation is expected to continue until the first unit of the coal fired Medupi power station is up and running which should ease the system for a while.
"Eskom is on track to deliver the first unit of Medupi," said the minister, adding that the power utility will conduct a pressure test of the first boiler soon.
Speaking at Eskom's second quarterly state of the system media briefing, Gigaba said government remained resolute in keeping the lights on so as to avoid the rolling blackouts that occurred in 2008.
Both Gigaba and Eskom CEO Brain Dames called on industry as well as the public to save 10% of electricity.
"We will make sure that the lights are on in winter," said Dames, adding that demand for electricity was increasing.
