- Eskom has announced that due to the breakdown of eight generating units overnight and this morning, which necessitated the excessive use of Open Cycle Gas Turbines and pumped storage generation, Stage 6 loadshedding was implemented at 08:30 this morning.
- The inability to pump water overnight at the pumped storage schemes and the low diesel levels has resulted in critically low emergency reserves which needs to be conserved.
Since Thursday afternoon, breakdowns of a unit each at Duvha, Grootvlei, Tutuka, Kriel, Lethabo, Camden power stations occurred as well as two units at Kendal Power Station. In addition, the delay in returning to service a generating unit each at Arnot, Duvha, Matla, Camden and Hendrina power stations has contributed to the capacity constraints.
Regrettably, no units were returned to service in the past 24 hours.
Eskom currently has 8 023MW on planned maintenance, while another 16 672MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
