Eskom says problems with power supply will continue until next month, with more rolling blackouts possible.

The power utility lifted its power-grid emergency last night after being forced to implement load shedding for most of Thursday.

The emergency was lifted at 10pm on Thursday night.

The power utility says it had to implement the power cuts because coal supplies were wet after days of heavy rains.

This is the first time Eskom has implemented load shedding in six years.

Eskom has apologised for yesterday’s rolling black-outs and says it will do everything in its power to avoid future power cuts, saying rolling blackouts are the absolute last resort.

But the power utility says it’s not out of trouble just yet with the winter season still approaching.

Outgoing Eskom CEO Brian Dames says the rainy weather is expected to continue over the next two weeks which will affect coal stockpiles and put a lot of strain on the grid.

The national electricity grid remains under extreme pressure and the parastatal has asked customers to continue using electricity sparingly.

Eskom under fire

Eskom has come under fire from experts saying it should stop shifting the blame and start taking responsibility for its inability to meet demand.

Energy expert Chris Yelland said on Thursday that Eskom must face up to the idea that the parastatal itself is solely to blame for the country’s power woes.

“When the weather is hot, they blame the hot weather. When the weather is cold, they blame the cold weather. And when it’s raining, they blame the wet weather.The bottom line is they’re blaming everybody except themselves.”

He said Eskom simply hasn’t been upfront with South Africans about the true nature of the situation.