Load shedding implemented
JOBURG – Eskom has announced that stage 1 load shedding will be implemented from 10am until 10pm today.
The electricity’s public entity Twitter handle Eskom Hld SOC Ltd @Eskom_SA #PowerAlert: stated “Load shedding Stage 1 will be implemented from 10am to 10pm today. We urge electricity consumers to reduce their energy usage. Please reduce the load on the electricity grid by urgently switching off geysers, air conditioners, pool pumps and non-essential appliances.”
On Sunday, Eskom stated that the power system remained vulnerable as the unit 1 of the Koeberg power station was out of service due to a technical fault on the main generator transformer at the power station. It was stated that this resulted in the unit being isolated from the national grid. “Our engineers are currently onsite to determine the root cause of the fault. The nuclear reactor is not affected by the fault,” the statement read.
It was also stated that unit 1 was scheduled to go on a planned refuelling, inspection and maintenance outage on 9 February and that the maintenance team will determine if the unit can be brought back in the next few days or be taken out for its planned maintenance earlier than scheduled. It was also said that the Koeberg Unit 2 is currently generating full power and there is no nuclear safety concern for both units 1 and 2 and that each unit contributes 930MW to the national power grid.
Yesterday the company announced that unit 1 was taken offline yesterday following a technical fault on the generator transformer, which has now been resolved. “Unit 1 is expected to be fully operational by the end of this week, which will increase capacity going into the weekend,” Eskom stated.
Eskom customers are advised to check the load shedding schedules which are available on the Eskom website. Municipal customers were urged to contact their local authorities.
Details: 0860 037 566.
