Load-shedding to alternate between stages 4 and 5

Eskom has announced that load-shedding will alternate between stages 4 and 5 until a further update is given.

This, according to spokesperson Daphne Mokwena, is due to an increase in planned maintenance and further generating capacity loss.

“Due to the necessary increase in generation planned maintenance, from an average of 3 000MW in June to an average of 6 000MW in September, coupled with the recent multiple generation unit failures, stage 5 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Monday,” she explains and adds stage 4 load-shedding will then be implemented until 16:00 tomorrow.

This pattern will be repeated daily.

Mokwena says the increased load-shedding is ‘necessary to recover emergency generation reserves’.

“Breakdowns are currently at 16 572MW of generating capacity [loss] while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 6 287MW. Over the weekend a generating unit at Duvha, Hendrina, Tutuka and two generating units at Kendal power stations were taken offline for repairs. In the same period a generating unit at Arnot, Camden and Grootvlei power stations were returned to service,” she explains.

Mokwena adds that the delays in returning generating units to service at the Kendal and Tutuka power stations (one each), is also
contributing to the current capacity constraints.

“Eskom teams are working tirelessly to return these generating units to service. Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 26 608MW and we appeal to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances,” she concludes.

Schedule:

• Stage 5: 16:00-05:00
• Stage 4: 05:00-16:00