South African power utility Eskom implemented a second day of “Stage 2” pervasive blackouts to ease the burden on the national grid, build up diesel supplies and gather water reserves in hydropower dams, reported Reuters.

South Africa has been in dire need of meeting energy demand after failing to invest in generation since the first democratic elections in 1994. While the government expanded supply to an additional seven million people, the infrastructure and the means were not procured. “State 2” means that Eskom, which produces 95% of electricity in South Africa, is reducing nationwide demand by 2,000 MW, out of around 30,000 MW, wrote Reuters.

Months of power outages have taken a toll on South Africa’s economic growth by causing traffic congestion, halting business and disrupting everyday life.

Engineers are working to overhaul power plants that have been overworked over the last few years to make up for a lack of investment in new generation capacity, reported Reuters. At the moment, two new coal-fired power plants are under construction but continued to face challenges.

Source: Egypt Oil and Gas