South Africa\u2019s struggling power utility started rolling power blackouts for the second time this week and is warning that electricity shortages may worsen due to rains which are causing coal-handling problems.<\/p>\n
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, which provides about 95% of South Africa\u2019s electricity, will cut about 2,000 megawatts from the grid from Friday to Saturday morning, the Johannesburg-based utility said in an emailed statement.<\/p>\n
Persistent rains, which make coal handling difficult and contribute to reduced generation could result in deeper power cuts, Eskom said. The utility started this month\u2019s power cuts, known locally as load-shedding, on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis could further impact supply as the rainy weather persists,\u201d Eskom said. \u201cWhile not expected or planned, further deterioration of plant performance of emergence of other risks may necessitate invoking further stages of load-shedding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Debilitating power cuts in Africa\u2019s most industrialized economy have emerged as one of the biggest threats to the nation\u2019s economic growth prospects. Electricity shortages in the first quarter contributed to South Africa\u2019s biggest economic contraction in a decade.<\/p>\n