Sadness for South Africans as loadshedding is back

Power utility Eskom has announced that loadshedding is back after nine days of relief for South Africans. Eskom made the announcement on Sunday, a day after the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup.  

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“After nine days of good generation performance and no loadshedding, it is necessary to replenish emergency reserves. Ahead of the anticipated cold weather that will increase the demand for electricity over the next few days,” said Eskom.

“Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 16:00 on Monday. Thereafter, Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 until 05:00 on Tuesday, followed by Stage 2 loadshedding until 16:00. This pattern will be repeated daily until further notice.”

POWER UTILITY EXPLAINS WHY LOADSHEDDING IS BACK

“Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to loadshedding should it be required. Breakdowns are currently at 16 150MW of generating capacity while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 950MW.

“Over the past 24 hours, a generation unit each at Duvha, Grootvlei, Kusile and Matimba power stations was taken offline for repairs. In the same period, a generation unit at Kriel Power Station was returned to service,” they said.

“Eskom teams are working tirelessly to ensure that additional generating units are returned to service as soon as possible. Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 24 824MW and Monday’s peak demand is anticipated to be 27 557MW.”

Residents are once again being urged to switch off non-essential appliances.

“We appeal to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances. We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use
electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 17:00 to 21:00, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system to lower stages of loadshedding.”