SA shortfalls worsen local power crisis :: Mmegi Online

A tightening of the electricity supply situation in South Africa this week worsened the four-month local crisis, with the regional giant, on some days, giving the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) only 10 minutes' notice of the need to shed as much as 140 megawatts of power.

On Wednesday, BPC officials and other energy sources told BusinessWeek that the load shedding programme, initiated in February, had deepened, widened and become more erratic due to unstable supplies from Eskom in South Africa.

Current local demand is estimated at 550 megawatts (MW), with local generation hovering between 260 and 300 MW from two power peaking plants in Orapa and Matshelagabedi as well as one unit at Morupule B.The balance is sourced from Eskom under a contract for 100MW firm and another 200 MW non-firm meaning it is available only when Eskom has catered for South African needs.

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SA shortfalls worsen local power crisis

A tightening of the electricity supply situation in South Africa this week worsened the four-month local crisis, with the regional giant, on some days, giving the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) only 10 minutes' notice of the need to shed as much as 140 megawatts of power.

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