Eskom has announced it will implement Stage 2 loadshedding from Thursday midday until Sunday evening.
This comes after two generation units at the
Kusile Power Station tripped due to the failure of the main coal feed conveyor
belts supplying coal to the units.
In a statement, the ailing power utility added
that a unit each at the Kriel and Duvha tripped due to ‘unforeseen breakdowns’.
“We presently have four generation units whose
return to service from planned maintenance has been delayed,” reads the
statement.
The power utility said loadshedding was
necessary due to loss of generation capacity overnight.
“Loadshedding is also required to manage the
use of the emergency reserves, which will help us contain the stage of
loadshedding required. The system remains vulnerable and unpredictable, should
any further breakdowns occur, the stage of loadshedding may change at short
notice,” said Eskom.
Currently, Eskom has 5 358MW on planned
maintenance, while another 14 748MW of capacity is unavailable due to unplanned
maintenance, breakdowns and the outage delays mentioned above.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town will ‘protect’
its customers from one stage – implementing Stage 1 load shedding from noon
until midnight.
In a social media post, the municipality said
it will update residents on a daily basis on whether it will continue load shedding
on Stage 1.
Eskom urged consumers to use electricity
sparingly, in order to help minimize loadshedding.
Done By: Mitchum George
No comments:
Post a Comment