The South African power utility Eskom has announced that tomorrow morning will implement Stage 2 load shedding and Stage 3 on Wednesday.
The power utility's decision to re-implement load shedding has spoiled the New Year's mood after it was suspended for 18 days.
The recent suspension of load shedding was one of the longest period since 30 May -20 June 2022 which was nearly 19 days.
"With the current intensified maintenance aimed at improving the fleet performance,we had a setback of three generating units (2 148MW) not coming back online as anticipated.This coupled with a loss of six generating units(3 113MW),and projected increase in electricity demand requires Stage 2 loadshedding to be implemented from 05:00 on Tuesday until 16:00,followed by Stage 3 loadshedding until 05:00 on Wednesday.This pattern of Stage 2 loadshedding in the morning and Stage 3 loadshedding in the evening will be repeated daily until further notice,"Eskom said.
Eskom has confessed that is experiencing capacity shortage in the grid,however,it promised that this problem will be solved as soon as possible.
"Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes should it be required.
"Unplanned outages are currently at 16 231 MW of generating capacity,while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 8 451MW.
"Eskom teams are working tirelessly to ensure that 4 921MW of generating capacity is returned to service before the end of the week.
Eskom's load forecast for the evening peak demand for Tuesday is 23 011MW,"Eskom continues.
The power utility has thanked those consumers who are using electricity sparingly because that it helps to reduce load shedding.
"We would like to thank those who heed the call to use electricity sparingly and effectively,including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 17:00 to 21:00,as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of loadshedding," Eskom concludes.
Kusile Unit 5 added to the grid for the first time
On Sunday,31 December 2023,the power utility has announced exciting news that it will add additional MegaWatts(MW) from one of the Kusile Power Station Units.
According to statement,Eskom is delighted to announce that Unit 5 of the Kusile Power Station Project was synchronised to the national grid for the first time on 31 December 2023 at 17h22.The unit will contribute an additional 800MW to the country's power system which was never part of the Eskom's grid capacity.It will supply electricity intermittently during the testing and optimisation phase over the next six months before being transferred into commercial operation and the capacity officially added to the current Eskom fleet.