Possibility of rotational load shedding today increases from 5pm to 9pm
Eskom’s prognosis is that the power system will take up to approximately 10 days to recover from the effects of the recent industrial action, once all staff eventually return to work today.
There is a low probability of rotational loadshedding during the day as a result of power station units being returned to the system but the probability of rotational loadshedding increases for the evening peak period from 5pm to 9pm due to the normal expected increase in demand.
This is according to an Eskom press statement.
According to the statement, should rotational load shedding be implemented today, it would be for a period up to four hours.
Eskom will advise if rotational loadshedding will be conducted in either stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 or stage 4, dependent on the capacity shortage.
Stage one requires 1000MW to be rotationally loadshed nation-wide, stage 2 requires 2000 MW, stage 3 requires 3000 MW and stage 4 calls for up to 4000 MW to be rotationally loadshed nationally in that given period.
Load shedding is conducted as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.
Eskom stressed that while safety of employees remains its first priority, recovery teams at the power stations continue to work hard to stabilise the power system and to return generation plant as quick as possible.
The estimated 10-day prognosis for full restoration is due to the effects of the industrial action which interrupted continuous processes at the power plants. These processes have now to be cleared out and restarted which would take additional time.
According to Eskom, these include:
- Coal management and transportation. For example, the inability to transport coal from the coal stock yards to coal bunkers due to the absence of operating staff.
- Significant increase in plant outages and a bottleneck in routine maintenance due to the lack of resources to optimally operate the plant; such as ash clearing and mechanical failures that occurred during the period.
- Eskom is currently managing diesel levels at peaking plants at 50 per cent to ensure that sufficient diesel generation is available for emergencies.
Eskom said increase in production and full stability can only increase and be achieved with the return of employees today.
Eskom will continue to re-assess its prognosis during the week.
In the meantime, Eskom continue to encourage residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly to ease the demand of electricity.
This entails switching off geysers during the day especially during peak periods (7am to 10am and 6pm to 9pm) as well as all non-essential lighting and electricity appliances to assist in reducing demand.
Customers are advised to keep checking their load shedding schedules on the Eskom and their municipal website, and plan on the assumption that load shedding will take place.
In the event that load shedding becomes necessary, Eskom and the municipalities will use published rotational loadshedding schedules. For Eskom customers, these schedules are available on the Eskom website (loadshedding.eskom.co.za). Eskom customers can also contact its customer contact centre at 0860 037 566.
ALSO VISIT THE Boksburg Service Delivery Facebook page for the schedule
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