Professor Hartmut Winkler from the University of Johannesburg said load-shedding will return despite lower demand from South African businesses and households.<\/p>\n
Winkler told SABC News<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0that the load-shedding reprieve over the last few weeks is due to South Africans using less power.<\/p>\n Electricity demand is 6% less in 2024 than in 2023. This is partly because many businesses and households have installed rooftop solar.<\/p>\n Another change from last year is that three generating units at the Kusile power station returned to service.<\/p>\n These units generate 2,400 MW if they operate at their peak capacity, eliminating two load-shedding stages.<\/p>\n However, with electricity demand set to spike as the country enters the winter period, load-shedding will return.<\/p>\n During winter, the electricity demand in South Africa is around 6,000 MW higher than during summer.<\/p>\n During its Winter 2024 Outlook presentation, Eskom said South Africans may see load-shedding this winter, but it will likely be limited to stage 2<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Winkler said this is an optimistic view, adding that he expects South Africa to oscillate between stage 1 and 3 during winter.<\/p>\n He dismissed speculation that the load-shedding reprieve is linked to the 2024 general elections on 29 May.<\/p>\n There are two ways Eskom can \u2018artificially\u2019 prevent load-shedding \u2014 cut planned maintenance and burn more diesel.<\/p>\n However, Winkler said these strategies cannot be sustained over a long period. Eventually, load-shedding will have to return.<\/p>\n \u201cEskom is still doing maintenance \u2014 they have not stopped its maintenance. They are also using less diesel this month than the same period last year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n