April saw a saving of up to 7% in electricity demand, Eskom’s chief executive, Jacob Maroga, said on Monday.
He briefed President Thabo Mbeki and a presidential special joint working group on the current state of electricity supply in the country, the Presidency said in a statement.
”The meeting urged the public to accelerate electricity savings in order to avert resumption in load-shedding as the current savings, though welcome, are below the 10% target,” the statement said.
Maroga said planned electricity cuts were suspended on the basis of the progress made towards meeting the 10% target and a review of the most effective approach to achieve savings.
Mbeki would form an advisory council, which he would chair, to ensure the implementation of the National Electricity Response Plan.
A scheduled press conference following the meeting was cancelled. — Sapa