Eskom to ease load shedding stages over weekend

Eskom hopes to reduce the load shedding stages. The ailing parastal implemented Stage 5 load shedding on Friday. Stage 4 load shedding will be in effect for Saturday into 5a.m on Sunday, when Stage 2 rolling powercuts will be implemented until 5a.m on Monday.

Eskom spokesperson, Sikonathi Manthantsha says the power utility will publish a further update as soon as there are any significant changes.

‘’Since Thursday morning, a generating unit each at Camden, Lethabo, Majuba and Matla power stations were taken offline for repairs and planned maintenance. In addition, the delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha and Kriel power stations has contributed to the capacity constraints. ‘’

‘’A generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha, Grootvlei, Kendal, Kriel, Matimba and Medupi power stations returned to service,’’ he added.

‘’As previously communicated, due to the depletion of the budget to acquire diesel for the Open Cycle Gas Turbines, Eskom has been forced to strictly preserve the remaining diesel for any extreme emergency situations such as multiple, simultaneous trips of generators. The pumped storage dam levels also need to be replenished during this time,’’ said Eskom spokesperson, Sikonathi Manthantsha.

Meanwhile, Unit 1 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station is expected to go offline on Saturday. Unit 1 is being taken offline for refurbishment and maintenance.

The initial plan was to start taking the unit offline on Wednesday, but was delayed because of the higher stages of load shedding.

‘’The refuelling and maintenance outage starting on Saturday morning, as well as the long-term operation project of Unit 1 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, together with the chimney failure during October that has forced three generation units offline at Kusile Power Station, will further reduce available generation capacity and exacerbate the occurrence of loadshedding during the next 6 – 12 months,’’ said Manthantsha.

The embattled power utility requested the public to reduce the usage of electricity and ‘’to exercise patience and tolerance during this difficult period.’’

'‘Loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns.’’

 

PICTURE: Pixabay

Done By: Mitchum George