Delays in returning a number of generating units to service has resulted in Eskom implementing stage 4 load shedding from 4pm on Thursday.
Eskom said stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 on Thursday until 05:00 on Friday. Thereafter, stage 3 load shedding will be implemented until 4pm. This pattern will repeat itself until Sunday, the power utility said.
“Eskom will publish a further update as soon as there are significant changes.”
The further delays in returning to service a generating unit each at Arnot, Camden, Kendal, Kriel, Matla and two units at Majuba power station has contributed to the capacity constraints.
“We currently have 6,014MW on planned maintenance, while another 17,278MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays in returning generators to service.
“Eskom requests the public to reduce the usage of electricity and to exercise patience and tolerance during this difficult period,” Eskom said.
The embattled power utility reminded South Africans it only implements load shedding as a last resort, in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend breakdowns.
“Eskom requests the public to reduce the usage of electricity and to exercise patience and tolerance during this difficult period.”
South Africa is likely to sit with prolonged levels of load shedding for the foreseeable future. In December 2021, 1,000MW was removed from the grid through Koeberg unit 1 being taken offline, and approximately 3,000MW is offline from various breakdowns at Kusile and Medupi.
According to Eskom’s outlook for 2023, it needs to keep breakdowns below 13,000MW to stave off the worst of load shedding, but the utility has struggled to keep outages below 16,000 which is the worst-case scenario in its plans.
Source: Business Tech, IOL, Eyewitness News, image from Twitter: @947