14-05-08 South Africans managed to achieve a 7 % saving in electricity for the month of April, said Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga.
Maroga made the announcement at a briefing with President Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and a Presidential Special Joint Working Group about the state of electricity supply in the country.

The meeting was informed that load shedding has been suspended on the basis of progress towards meeting the 10 % savings target. However, the public was urged to accelerate electricity savings in order to avert resumption in load shedding.
The current savings, though welcome, are still below the 10 % national target, said a statement released by the Presidency.

During the briefing plans to finalise an Advisory Council chaired by the President were discussed. The Council which will include leaders of labour, business, government and civil society will facilitate the implementation of the National Electricity Response Plan.
Maroga also announced that the previously mothballed Camden, Grootvlei and Komati power stations are being upgraded and returned to use.

Meanwhile, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced that it has lent $ 500 mm to Eskom to help fund the utility's expansion.
"The bank's loan is intended to assist the government in achieving the GDP growth target of 6 % per annum from 2010," AfDB said in its 2007 annual report, released in Maputo at the Bank's annual conference.