Eskom says it is set to continue with planned maintenance during the winter months, while the power utility also dispelled prospects of a total electricity blackout.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday, acting Eskom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brian Molefe said that the power utility will conduct 5 500 megawatts planned maintenance over the winter period. This as the utility has a volatile and aging plant.

The maintenance to be conducted is three times more than the maintenance that has been done in previous winters.

Molefe said that the prospect of a blackout is non-existent, while adding that the company’s build programme is the ticket out of load shedding.

“There is no prospect of a blackout in South Africa; that is virtually non-existent. We will have stage one, stage 2 and when things are really bad maybe stage 3 load shedding but not a total blackout which represents total system collapse that is out of the question,” he said.

Going into the winter season, the parastatal anticipates this winter to be colder than previous winters with this expected to have an impact on the demand for electricity.

“We anticipate to supply 100% of electricity on most days and 96% during peak periods. We will endeavour for 100%,” explained Molefe.

Molefe said that even when there is load shedding, the utility provides power to 96% of the country.

The acting chief executive further added that illegal electricity connections also increase in winter thereby also impacting on the demand for electricity in winter.

While the utility will continue with planned maintenance, it will do so with minimum load shedding.

“We will continue with maintenance during this winter with minimal or no load shedding. We will use all resources including IPPs, and open gas turbines to minimise load shedding,” said Molefe, adding that the current coal stock levels were at healthy stock levels.

As long as the utility does maintenance under 7 gigawatts in winter, it is able to do maintenance without load shedding.