The current load shedding South Africans are experiencing has not come without an explanation.

Eskom has released a statement stating that, “The power system was extremely constrained on Friday 5 December and will remain so over the weekend necessitating the need for us to implement load shedding.

“This is due to unforeseen technical problems at power stations, depleted water reserves and logistical issues relating to diesel supplies at our peaking power stations.

“As a result we had to implement stage 2 load shedding on Friday as of 11am. At 12.05 load shedding was extended from stage 2 to stage 3.

“The change in stages is due to the shutdown of two of our open cycle gas turbine power station which use diesel to generate electricity. The diesel reserves have been depleted at the Gourikwa and Ankerlig gas turbines leading to the shutdown of the power stations.

“The Drakensburg and Palmiet pumped storage schemes which use water to generate electricity have reduced output as a result of depleted water reserves.

“A further 1 000MW of capacity is offline after three coal powered units tripped on Thursday night due to technical faults.”

Load shedding continued until 10pm on Friday.

Stage 2 load shedding will commence today (6 December) from 6am until 10pm and again on Sunday from 8am until 10pm in order to build up reserves for the week ahead.

Consumers can help alleviate pressure from the system by reducing their electricity usage as much as they can.

Eskom has also asked major customers to contribute by reducing their usage by 10 per cent.

“Our objective for load shedding this weekend is to fill the pumped storage dams, fill diesel tanks and undertake essential maintenance. Our aspiration after that is to avoid load shedding if at all possible until mid-January,” Chief Executive Tshediso Matona said.

“Unfortunately we cannot guarantee this but we will put in every effort over the festive season to avoid interruptions,” he said.

Eskom’s load shedding schedules are available for Eskom direct customers on their
website.

Customers are encouraged to contact their call centre on 0860 037 566 for additional information and if they experience any problems regarding the schedules.

Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system through all the
media platforms.

For tips on how to trim 10 per cent off your consumption, visit www.eskom.co.za/idm.

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