Eskom is urging communities to switch off all non-essential appliances due to an increase in electricity demand following on from the cold weather moving across the country.
"Due to the cold weather, we appeal to all members of the public to reduce the electricity demand between 5pm and 9pm, by switching off non-essential appliances, mainly geysers, swimming pool pumps, and electric heaters. The evening peak forecast for today is 29,609 MW, and yesterday’s demand at the evening peak was 33,423 MW, higher than the forecast demand, said the utility's Daphne Mokwena in a short statement on Wednesday.
She added that the reduction will continue to assist in alleviating pressure on the system and avoid higher stages of load shedding.
The country has been placed on Stage 6 load shedding owing to delays in the return to service of a generating unit at the Kendal, Matla, and Matimba power stations.
Mokwena said Stage 6 will be implemented until further notice.
Meanwhile, snow has been reported in various parts of the Eastern Cape and some areas in KwaZulu-Natal.
The SA Weather Service (Saws) has also issued a Yellow Level 1 warning of damaging winds between Port Alfred and Port Edward, reaching Richards Bay in the afternoon.
An extremely high fire danger warning has been issued for parts of the Central Karoo District Municipality in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Dr Beyers Naude, Inxuba Yethema, Enoch Mgijima, and Emalahleni local municipalities in the Eastern Cape, and parts of the Western Cape, North West, and Free State.
IOL