More load shedding expected
JOBURG - The risk of load shedding was extremely high and another round of forced outages may be implemented over the next few days, Eskom warned.
Earlier today, Eskom tweeted that the probability of load shedding remained high today (5 December).
“Please reduce electricity usage. Load shedding is planned for the weekend ahead,” the tweet said.
Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger confirmed that the power system was currently extremely tight and the risk of load shedding remained high.
“So far this week, we have been using our emergency reserves extensively and at this rate, we can expect these reserves to be depleted before the end of the week, which will mean additional pressure on the grid with the increased likelihood of load shedding,” Etzinger said.
South Africa was plunged into darkness on two consecutive weekends after the parastatal implemented forced outages due to limited diesel and water reserves, and maintenance issues.
Earlier this week, Etzinger explained that the forced outages last weekend were a pre-emptive measure, which allowed the power utility to make a substantial recovery of contingency reserves and assisted it to start the week well.
“Coming weeks will be constrained but load shedding will hopefully be avoided,” he said at the time.
All electricity consumers were urged to use power sparingly at all times, and to switch off all non-essential appliances, pool pumps and geysers during the peak periods between 5pm and 10pm.
The power utility has conceded on several occasions that its ageing fleet was impacting its power generating capacity.
The situation was only expected to stabilise once more power plants were brought online.
However, the power system was expected to be less constrained when schools and factories closed for the festive season, Etzinger said.
