Stage 4 and Stage 5 load shedding to be implemented from Tuesday
Eskom announced that it will reduce the load shedding stage from Tuesday, varying from Stage 4 and Stage 5 rolling power cuts.
The embattled parastatal implemented Stage 6 load shedding
continuously from Wednesday.
Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented at 05:00 – 16:00
daily from Tuesday morning, with Stage 5 loadshedding daily from 16:00 – 05:00.
A generating unit each at Kendal, Majuba and Tutuka power
stations have returned to service on Monday.
‘’Over the course of this week 14 generators are expected
to return to service, helping to ease the pressure on the power system. Eskom
cautions the public, however, that there is a high degree of uncertainty
associated with this and that these changes will only be possible in their
entirety if the units return to service as planned,’’ said Eskom spokesperson,
Sikonathi Manthantsha.
Eskom warned that changes in the stages of loadshedding can
occur at short notice, due to the ‘’inherent unreliability of the coal power
station fleet.’’
Manthanthsa said that Eskom procured an additional 50
million litres of diesel on 06 January 2023.
‘’This fuel will be utilised sparingly to manage the pumped
storage dam levels and to limit the amount of loadshedding during the day.
Together, these emergency generators contribute 5 700MW of capacity.’’
‘’The summer planned maintenance programme continues, and
will taper off during the winter months, helping to make more capacity
available to produce electricity. There are currently 12 generators out on
planned maintenance, representing 5 804MW of capacity,’’ he added.
Breakdowns currently amount to 16 173MW of generating
capacity.
PICTURE: PixabayDone By: Mitchum George
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