SA faces increased risk of power failures

South Africa faces increased risks of power cuts from 2011 to 2013 unless co-generation projects come on line and consumers try to conserve electricity, a government minister says.

Africa’s largest economy is battling a chronic power shortage that has curbed production at the world’s top platinum producer because of electricity rationing by government.

Last year the national grid almost collapsed, costing the economy billions in lost production across all sectors as government enforced rolling black-outs to save the grid.

“The electricity supply-demand balance during and after the winter 2010 period will be finely balanced. The risks of interruptions will increase as Eskom enters its summer maintenance season for the Eskom generation fleet,” Barbara Hogan, Public Enterprises Minister, said in a written response to questions in parliament.

South Africa’s winter period runs from June to August.