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Slight relief as load shedding reduced to lower stages
This after SA suffered under stages 5 and stage 6 last week.
Mzansi may have a chance to enjoy their Chritmas lights as load shedding stages have been reduced. Photo for illustration: iStock
Eskom has reduced load shedding to stage 4 from 05:00 on Thursday until 05:00 on Sunday morning.
The ailing power utility said stage 3 load shedding will then be implemented on Sunday.
The welcome relief comes after the country suffered under stages 5 and stage 6 last week.
Electricity generation
Eskom said it would share more updates if there are any significant changes.
“Since Tuesday morning, a unit each at Camden, Kriel, Majuba, Matla and Duvha power stations were taken offline for repairs and planned maintenance,” Eskom said.
“In addition, the delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha and Hendrina power stations has contributed to the capacity constraints.”
“A generating unit each at Grootvlei, Camden, Kriel, Majuba power stations returned to service. We currently have 6 618MW on planned maintenance, while another 15 996MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.”
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The parastatal has requested the public to reduce their electricity usage where possible, and to exercise patience and tolerance during “this difficult period.”
“Load shedding is implemented only as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns.”
Current status
On Wednesday, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha shared the current status of the electricity grid:
- Evening Peak Feedback 14/12/2022, 19:14
- Total demand: 27 458MW
- Load shedding: 4 537MW
- Virtual Power Station: 210MW
- Renewable Generation: 1 584MW (Wind 1 265MW, CSP [concentrating solar power] 304MW, PV [photovoltaic] 15MW)
- Available Generation Capacity: 23 731MW
Power station fire
Meanwhile, a unit at Eskom’s Matla power station outside Kriel in Mpumalanga suffered a blow after a fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood a fuel system leak on one of the oil burners of Unit 6 of the station may have been the cause.
The fire broke out at around 2pm and was brought under control before it flared up again later.
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