Pretoria - With President Jacob Zuma due to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA), Eskom has worked together with the City of Cape Town, to ensure that the Parliamentary precinct will have uninterrupted power supply.
In its system status bulletin on Thursday evening, the utility said its ambition is not to implement load-shedding at any given day, but because its operating an old and vulnerable power system, it sometimes experiences technical faults which increases the risk of load-shedding.
“Eskom and the City of Cape Town worked together to ensure that the Parliamentary precinct will have uninterrupted power supply during this evening’s State of the Nation Address by President Jacob Zuma. In addition, the City of Cape Town has received confirmation from the Public Works Department that back-up generators supplying Parliament have been tested, are operational, and have sufficient fuel.”
The utility said its plant maintenance is underway and will continue until May at all power stations including open cycle gas turbines.
Maintenance includes, among others, the replacement of parts, servicing of equipment and inspection of facilities at all stations.
“We therefore expect the power grid to remain constrained for the rest of the week and the rest of the summer.”
Eskom called on all South Africans to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly.
The President is due to deliver the SONA in Parliament at 7pm. - SAnews.gov.za
