Heatwave puts power grid under pressure

January’s high temperatures are not doing the country’s power system any favours. Eskom says the electricity grid is exceptionally tight at present, with commercial customers particularly to blame – unlike in winter when it’s residential users. “The system outlook remains tight, with different challenges due to the summer profile,” a spokesman said. Unlike winter, where the demand increases during the evening, the demand is much flatter at present with an increased demand profile throughout the day, primarily due to airconditioning and geysers.” He said while the power system would remain constrained for at least the next two years until new generating capacity comes on stream and essential generation maintenance is done, electricity savings would be necessary.