No unplanned outages

By Christelle du Toit, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 12 May 2008

While Eskom has called off load-shedding, ICT companies need not worry that their equipment could be damaged by unscheduled power outages.

This is according to Eskom spokesman Andrew Etzinger, reacting to questions that followed the power utility's recent decision to scrap load-shedding.

Last month, Eskom announced that consumers had saved enough energy for it to suspend its structured power outages. However, CEO Jacob Maroga warned "should the national grid come under unexpected pressure, there may be occasions where brief periods of load-shedding could be required".

While major energy users, like mines, have questioned the stability of the national power grid and Eskom's decision, Etzinger insists a suspension of load-shedding does not equate to unplanned outages.

"We said that if the system takes unexpected strain, there may need to be periods of load-shedding, but that consumers would be informed in advance and as soon as possible.

"We would not suddenly load-shed without any warning."

Etzinger adds that ICT companies, therefore, need not worry about damage to their equipment, such as UPSes or servers, from load-shedding.

"Business and industry generally have by now developed contingency plans for when they know they will be load-shed, thus any impact on UPSes, servers and so on should be minimised."

However, Etzigner would not say whether companies or individuals would be able to sue Eskom for losses incurred should there be damage caused by power outages.

"We cannot advise people on the merits of legal action they may contemplate. Eskom's legal department will evaluate and respond to any claims."