Mr Price Group is rolling out backup power to all its stores, as the company’s chair called the country’s current electricity shortage untenable.
The Durban-based retailer of apparel, sports goods and homeware said on Friday it is on track to reach its target of backup power in 70% of its South African stores by the end of this financial year in March, and in 100% of shops “as soon as possible thereafter”. While this is adequate for a certain threshold of blackouts, the plans are under review due to the recent intensity levels, Mr Price said in a trading update.
“It is critical for government to communicate its official and detailed plan for the solution to the energy crisis in South Africa, in order to protect and grow the economy and for business to plan accordingly,” said chair Nigel Payne. “The current situation is untenable, and government needs to take decisive action and to be held accountable for implementation.”
Eskom has implemented load-shedding for 82 consecutive days, with up to 12 hours of daily blackouts last week and earlier this week.
Bloomberg
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