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Eskom recovery plans yielding positive results
JOBURG – The power utility said that they are monitoring the system closely and will continue to give periodic updates on the status of the power system as things may change at short notice.
In a statement released by Eskom, the power utility has said that it does not plan to implement load-shedding today (15 January).
However, Eskom is still experiencing a tight system following coal-handling challenges at their coal-fired power stations which were caused by flooding. “Our recovery plans are yielding positive results as we have started seeing units coming back online.”
Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 12 312MW as at 7 am this morning. “Our teams are hard at work to bring the units on unplanned outages back to service in order to increase available capacity. We will be using emergency resources to supplement capacity to meet demand today and have built adequate reserves for our pumped storage schemes and diesel generators,” said the power utility in a released statement.
The power utility also said that they are monitoring the system closely and will continue to give periodic updates on the status of the power system as things may change at short notice.
“A concerted collective effort to reduce demand can help to avoid or lessen the level of load-shedding. And as such, we strongly urge customers to assist by helping to reduce demand by using electricity sparingly,” said Eskom.
Eskom has highlighted some ways consumers can reduce their electricity usage:
- Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC
- Switch off your geysers over peak periods
- Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time
- Set your swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time for optimal energy use
- At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch. Avoid standby or sleep mode
Related article:
Power system under pressure following heavy storms and rains #Load-shedding
