Load shedding to implemented from 9p.m on Saturday

Eskom has announced that it will implement Stage 2 loadshedding from 9p.m on Saturday evening until 5a.m on Monday.

In a statement, the parastatal said that a failure of a generation unit each at Kusile, Medupi and Arnot power stations, as well as a delay of a unit returning to service at Tutuka power station.

In addition to the above, the failure of the coal conveyors at Medupi led to reduced output at the station. While this has since been rectified, it will take some time to recover the full operations. Furthermore, there was a complete shutdown of the Kendal power station ash plant due to an electrical fault. This required the station’s output to be reduced to minimum.’’

Eskom says the ash plant has since returned to service, and the ash backlog recovery is in progress.

The ailing power utility warned that should there be any further breakdowns in the power system, loadshedding might be required to be implemented earlier.

‘’These constraints, together with higher demand yesterday (Friday) and today (Saturday), have resulted in extensive usage of emergency generation reserves, which will have to be sufficiently recovered for the week ahead. Total breakdowns have increased to 14 727MW while planned maintenance is 6 711MW of capacity as we continue with the reliability maintenance.’’

Eskom urged consumers to use electricity sparingly

‘’Eskom appeals to all South Africans to help reduce the usage of electricity by switching off non-essential items in order to help us through these constraints. We will communicate promptly should there be any significant changes to the power system.’’

Meanwhile, if your electricity is supplied by the City of Cape Town, you too will load shed on Stage 2, but only until 5a,m on Sunday morning. Thereafter, says the municipality, it will reduce to Stage 1 until 10 o'clock  Sunday evening .

To see when your area will be affected, click the following link:

https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Load_Shedding_All_Areas_Schedule_and_Map.pdf

 

PICTURE: Pixabay

Done By: Mitchum George