Electricity utilities Eskom and City Power have agreed on efforts to protect the national grid, while also reducing the impact of load-shedding on Johannesburg residents and businesses.

At the weekend, City Power had initially said it would not implement load-shedding, as it had secured additional power supply from private generator, the Kelvin power station.

However, following talks between Eskom and City Power, the municipal entity has agreed to implement the directive of Eskom, and therefore load-shedding, as required, while collaboration on finding a lasting technical solution is under way to partially exclude Johannesburg from load-shedding.

City Power earlier this month entered into a renewed power purchase agreement with the Kelvin power station, while also increasing its offtake by 100 MW.

Technical teams from both City Power and Eskom will continue to consider the technical aspects of the Kelvin power station and verify the additional capacity that can be added to the national grid.