MBOMBELA – Parts of the city experienced load shedding yet again this weekend as Eskom’s power system was extremely constrained due to unforeseen technical problems at power stations.
This is caused by depleted water reserves at the peaking power stations which use water to generate electricity and depleted diesel reserves to fire up the open-cycle gas turbines. According to Eskom, another one of its coal-storage silos at Majuba power station is cracked and has been taken out of use and barricaded for safety reasons. Majuba is operating at about 60% capacity at the moment.
As a result Eskom implemented stage one load shedding on Friday and it will continue this week. Areas which will be affected are Steiltes, Nelsville, Valencia, Croc Valley, Bateleur Estates, Crossings SUPERSPAR, The Village KWIKSPAR, Civic Centre, Waterworks, Riverside Industrial, Vintonia and kaMagugu.
Stage one requires the least amount of load shedding. This stage is scheduled within the main load-shedding period which is Mondays to Saturdays between 05:00 and 21:30. Each time period has an additional 30 minutes added to allow for switching of networks in a way that will not damage the Eskom power system.
Eskom calls on consumers to switch off geysers, air conditioners, pool pumps and all non-essential appliances throughout the day to limit the impact of rotational load shedding. Emergency load shedding had to be implemented earlier this month due to the loss of 1 800 mW at the Majuba Power Station when a silo collapsed. Load-shedding schedules will be utilised only for the duration of the constraint and Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system.
