- South Africa’s state owned and state run energy utility, Eskom, reports that reduced generation capacity as well as the high sustained demand for electricity (about 33 000MW), has required the extensive use of Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) and pump storage generation over the past 36 hours.
To preserve the emergency reserves, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented from 14:00 today until 05:00 on Wednesday. Thereafter, Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 14:00, followed by Stage 4 loadshedding from 14:00 until 05:00 on Thursday. This pattern will continue to be implemented daily until further notice. Eskom will publish another update should any significant changes occur.
Related news: Electricity Minister and parliament short circuits Eskom generation reporting
Breakdowns have increased to 16 313MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is reduced to 3 478MW. Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Arnot, Matla and Medupi power stations was returned to service.
In the same period, a generating unit at Matla and two generating units at Kriel power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns. The delays in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and two generating units at Tutuka power stations are contributing to the current capacity constraints. Eskom teams are working tirelessly to return these generating units to service.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
