Small Free State town in high court battle with Eskom over use of solar energy to reduce load shedding

According to this article, on April 5th, a small community in the Free State appeared before the Johannesburg High Court to challenge Eskom for the right to use independently generated solar power as a means to cope with the effects of rolling blackouts in the city of Frankfort. The article asserts that Eskom is attempting to prevent residents in Mafube Municipality from using "voiding," which is the process of using alternative, non-state-sponsored energy to supplement energy deficits as in the case of load shedding. After hearing the arguments, Chris Bosch, CEO and engineer at Rural Maintenance, stated that they would fight for voiding because it would allow residents to have at least an hour and a half of additional electricity. The article states that Eskom is strongly against Mafube Municipality using its own separately sourced energy and is concerned that it would set a precedent for other customers throughout the country to claim similar relief, according to its affidavit.

Abstract based directly on original source.