Businesses request loadshedding schedule reshuffle

We will look at how we can shuffle around other areas in order to accommodate businesses

THE uMhalthuze Municipality will this week attempt to reorganise its load-shedding schedule in order to help reduce production losses at local businesses.

This follows an informal meeting between city officials and the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) late last week.

ZCCI Chief Executive Officer, Thabani Shale, said the discussion revolved around alleviating the risks and negative impact that loadshedding poses to businesses within the city.

‘While we discussed a way forward in terms of the interests of our members, it is still a national issue and we cannot look to the city to resolve an issue which lies with Eskom at the end of the day,’ Shale said.

Deputy Municipal Manager for Electrical and Energy Services, Nkanyiso Khumalo, said the city will from this week attempt to accommodate the ZCCI’s request.

‘We will look at how we can shuffle around other areas in order to accommodate businesses. We have the power to shuffle around certain times and areas relating to the loadshedding schedules.

‘Businesses are requesting earlier times so they can either ask their staff to come in later in the morning rather than having load-shedding in the middle of the day.’ Khumalo emphasised that while the city would try it’s best in adjusting the loadshedding schedules, it could not promise that would be the case as they are, at the end of the day, subjected to the needs and requirements of Eskom.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Eskom’s ‘top secret’ strategy, dubbed ‘Strategy 2035’, could possibly provide insight into how the ailing power utility plans on freeing itself from the grips of its R400billion debt.

Reports indicate that ‘Strategy 2035’ was meant to be made public this year, but government is currently in possession of and reviewing the document.

Unconfirmed information indicates that Eskom could possibly be toying with the idea of privatising certain power stations to help consolidate its debt.