Stage 2 rotational loadshedding still in operation
Stage 2 rotational loadshedding is still in operation throughout the country on Sunday due to capacity constraints, Eskom has confirmed.
The electricity parastatal implemented stage 1 loadshedding on Saturday morning but later upgraded it to stage 2 due to a shortage of capacity as a result of generating units not returning to service as planned and due to an additional loss of a generating unit.
In a statement on Sunday, it said: “In our latest update yesterday, we communicated that due to the high unavailability of plant, Eskom was unable to build the necessary reserves resulting in high probability of Stage 2 rotational loadshedding from 10am this morning. However, due to a further shortage of generation as a result of units that have not returned to service as expected, Stage 2 rotational loadshedding is implemented from 8am and is likely to continue until 10pm.
NOTICE: With low diesel levels, low water levels at pumped storage stations, and the persistent plant breakdowns at coal-fired power stations, Eskom will be forced to implement stage 2 loadshedding from 08:00 until 22:00 today. Apologies for the inconvenience that this will cause
— Eskom Spokesperson (@KhuluPhasiwe) December 2, 2018
“Eskom would like to sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and uncertainty caused by this.
“Generation plant continues to be out on planned maintenance (approximately 5,000 MW) and there is a higher than expected number of units (currently at approximately 10,000 MW) on unplanned maintenance due to technical faults.”
Mozambique's Cahora Bassa hydropower plant was also still supplying 700 MW less to the grid as a result of a damaged transmission line, which had occurred late on Wednesday, the electricity provider said.
“Over and above these challenges, we are experiencing low diesel reserves due to the continued pressure on the national grid resulting in excessive usage of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs). In addition, the need to build emergency water and diesel resources to limit the loadshedding possibility or magnitude thereof in the following week also remains. Customers are reminded to treat all electrical points as live during loadshedding.”
It added that loadshedding was being conducted rotationally as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said cable theft was also adding to the power utility's woes.
Eskom: 'Criminals stealing cables during load shedding are prolonging outages' https://t.co/ilaBereMmM
— Eskom Spokesperson (@KhuluPhasiwe) December 1, 2018