<P> Due to the South African government's attempted privatisation of Eskom in the late 1991s, Eskom requests for budget to build new stations were denied . President Thabo Mbeki said in December 2007 that this was an error, and it is now adversely affecting the South African economy . </P> <P> In January 2008 Eskom introduced "load shedding", planned rolling blackouts based on a rotating schedule, in periods where short supply threatens the integrity of the grid . Demand - side management has focused on encouraging consumers to conserve power during peak periods in order to reduce the incidence of load shedding . </P> <Ul> <Li> Kendal - 4116 MWe </Li> <Li> Majuba - 4110 MWe </Li> <Li> Matimba - 3990 MWe </Li> <Li> Lethabo - 3708 MWe </Li> <Li> Tutuka - 3654 MWe </Li> <Li> Matla - 3600 MWe </Li> <Li> Duvha - 3600 MWe </Li> <Li> Kriel - 3000 MWe </Li> <Li> Arnot - 2400 MWe </Li> <Li> Hendrina - 2000 MWe </Li> <Li> Camden - 1600 MWe </Li> <Li> Grootvlei - 1200 MWe </Li> <Li> Komati - 1000 MWe </Li> <Li> Medupi - 2382 MWe (3 of 6 generation units online) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Kendal - 4116 MWe </Li>

When did load shedding start in south africa