Eskom confirmed this afternoon that they will be implementing load-shedding this weekend starting Friday 5 December.
Eskom confirmed this afternoon that they will be implementing load-shedding this weekend starting Friday 5 December.
In a media update the power utility described the power system as extremely constrained due to "unforeseen technical problems at power stations, depleted water reserves and logistical issues relating to diesel supplies at our peaking power stations".
Eskom implemented stage 2 load shedding today at 11am.
Shortly after midday, load shedding was extended from stage 2 to stage 3.
"The change in stages is due to the shut down of two of our open cycle gas turbine power station which use diesel to generate electricity," Eskom said in the statement. "The diesel reserves have been depleted at the Gourikwa and Ankerlig gas turbines leading to the shut down of the power stations.
"The Drakensburg and Palmiet pumped storage schemes which use water to generate electricity have reduced output as a result of depleted water reserves.
A further 1 000MW of capacity is offline after three coal-powered units tripped last night due to technical faults."
Today's load shedding would continue until 10pm tonight.
Stage 2 load shedding would start tomorrow from 6am to 10pm and again on Sunday from 8am to 10pm in order to build up reserves for the week ahead.
Consumers could help alleviate pressure from the system by reducing their electricity usage.
Eskom has also asked major customers to contribute by reducing their usage by 10%.
“Our objective for load shedding this weekend is to fill the pumped storage dams, fill diesel tanks and undertake essential maintenance.
Our aspiration after that is to avoid load shedding if at all possible until mid-January,” Chief Executive Tshediso Matona said. “Unfortunately we cannot guarantee this but we will put in every effort over the festive season to avoid interruptions,” he said.
On Thursday the power utility put into effect Stage 2 load-shedding. In Grahamstown power went off at 6pm and returned around 8.30pm.
The schedule for Grahamstown as updated on Friday 5 December indicates that at its severest, if stage 3 is implemented as was earlier indicated on their website, load-shedding here for the next few days could be as follows: Friday 5 December: 6pm to 8.30pm Saturday 6 December: 6am to 8am; Midday to 2.30pm; 11pm to 2.30am Sunday 7 December: 6am to 8.30am; Midday to 2.30pm; 11pm to 2.30am Monday 8 December: 6am to 8.30am; Midday to 2.30pm; 11pm to 2.30am View updates on load shedding.eskom.co.za or call 0860 037 566
