Collapsed silo leads to rolling black-outs countrywide

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Eskom says an investigation is underway into the collapse of a coal silo at Majuba Power Station which led to load-shedding on Sunday.

Eskom CEO Tshediso Matona said a crack was spotted in the silo on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of staff.

He says the silo collapsed about half an hour later.

Matona says the silo will be out of action for about three months.

Meanwhile, the collapse led to a loss of 600 megawats from the power station, putting the grid under pressure.

Nelson Mandela Bay spokesperson, Roland Williams, says they're following a weekly schedule.

"The schedule switches off areas every two hours in various groups. That schedule is a available on our website www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za.

Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO, Kevin Hustler, says the rolling black-outs will not be good for Business.

"For us to take this type of knock-on is extremely difficult and unexpected and certainly will impact on manufacturing and production in our region," said Hustler.