Eskom announced on Thursday, 3 February that loadshedding might continue beyond Monday as more of its units had failed to recover.
The power utility implemented a Stage 2 loadshedding on Wednesday indicating that the loadshedding is necessary due to a shortage of generation capacity following breakdowns of two more generating units during Tuesday night.
“Since the weekend Eskom has utilised significant amounts of emergency generating reserves, which have now been depleted and need to be replenished. Eskom will use this period of loadshedding to replenish the emergency generation reserves.
“A unit each at Kusile and Kendal power stations tripped. Delays in returning units at Kusile, Tutuka, Duvha, Lethabo and Grootvlei have also contributed to the current supply constraints,” Eskom said.
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However, according to Eskom boss, Andre de Ruyter, load shedding Stage 2 is expected to continue throughout the weekend although some generating units have or are expected to return to service.
De Ruyter who was speaking during a media briefing on Thursday highlighted the challenges that the power utility is facing following the latest loadshedding announcement.
“Overnight we regained some units, regrettably, we also lost some units. Matla Power Station Unit 5 returned to service. Kusile Power Station is currently running at 333 MW Kendal Power Station Unit 5 returned to service.
“There are plans in place to return more units to service. So at this point in time, our recovery is as anticipated. However, we have to point out that there is still the possibility that we may lose further units and therefore at this point in time…we will maintain Stage 2 load shedding until 5 am Monday morning,” De Ruyter explained.
He mentioned further that the emergency generating reserves which were depleted since the weekend have replenished its dams and diesel stocks.
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