Eskom announces return of Stage 2 load-shedding until end of weekend
- Eskom has announced that load-shedding has once again returned to plague South Africa
- The power outages will last from Thursday until Sunday according to the power utility
- This comes as Eskom confirmed that it had lost generation capacity overnight after a number of unexpected breakdowns
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Eskom has issued a statement confirming that load-shedding has once again returned to South Africa after a number of unexpected breakdowns.
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The power utility has confirmed that Stage 2 outages will be implemented from Thursday afternoon and into the weekend:
"Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented starting at 12:00 this afternoon through to Sunday night. The load-shedding is necessary due to the loss of generation capacity overnight. Load-shedding is also required to manage the use of the emergency reserves, which will help us contain the stage of load-shedding required."
The power utility warned that the system remains vulnerable and unpredictable, with the outages subject to change at short notice should any further breakdowns occur.
Eskom explained that a number of breakdowns had prompted the sudden shortage of electricity continuing to say that:
"Two generation units at the Kusile Power Station tripped due to the failure of the main coal feed conveyor belts supplying coal to the units. In addition, a unit each at the Kriel and Duvha tripped due to unforeseen breakdowns. We presently have four generation units whose return to service from planned maintenance has been delayed."
The utility currently has 5 358MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 748MW of capacity is unavailable due to unplanned maintenance, breakdowns and the outage delays mentioned above.
The state-owned entity assured the nation that personnel are hard at work attempting to rectify the situation, urging the public to play its role:
"Eskom would like to urge the public to reduce electricity consumption in order to help us minimize load-shedding. Eskom will communicate timeously should there be any significant changes to the power system."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that, despite the year being exactly two weeks old as of Thursday, the power utility has already subjected the nation to load-shedding.
Shortly after the start of the year, Eskom reverted the nation to Stage 2 load-shedding and citizens were not impressed.
Many blamed corruption and mismanagement for the outages as the entity battles to regain some of its former glory.
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Source: Briefly News
