Load capacity will be in place until Saturday morning before being suspended for the remainder of the long weekend.
Phase 2 load shedding will be implemented from this afternoon at 16:00 until Saturday at 05:00 after which load shedding will be suspended until Tuesday morning. According to Eskom, this is thanks to continued improved generation availability as well as the expected lower demand over the long weekend.
Phase 1 load shedding will be introduced at 05:00 on Tuesday. “During the long weekend, Eskom will attend to minor defects on some generation units by performing planned maintenance,” the power supplier said. “Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load shedding if necessary.”
Outages currently amount to 14,364 MW of generating capacity while 5,731 MW of the capacity has been shut down due to planned maintenance work.
One generating unit each at the Arnot and Kendal power stations has been taken out of action for repairs in the past 24 hours. The expected return of a generating unit at the Kendal power station has been delayed, further contributing to the current capacity constraints. Eskom crews are working tirelessly to get these generating units back into service.
Eskom expects power consumption of 27,406 MW during the evening peak hours and appeals to the public to continue to reduce demand by switching off non-essential devices.
“We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including turning off geysers and pool pumps from 5pm to 9pm, as this lowers demand and helps ease pressure on the power system relieves and contributes to lower phases of load shedding.”
