Load shedding and utility's ability to work

Having recently passed the 200-day mark without load shedding, its impact cannot be understated, says City Power's spokesperson, Isaac Mangena.

- Wellman Bain and Waydon Jacobs

"Reversing the impact of load shedding will take years."

The financial hits the power utility has faced did not lessen with rolling blackouts.

During load shedding, Mangena says: "City Power experienced significant financial losses due to unserved electricity, resulting from blackouts.

"During those hours of load shedding, customers were not consuming electricity, meaning City Power was not earning any income during that period.

"Eskom, however, still charged us at the same fixed rate despite our ongoing losses."

Daily power cuts also rapidly deteriorate the lifespan of City Power's electrical equipment.