Load shedding on the cards
JOBURG – Eskom has announced that the electricity power system is extremely constrained today and that the risk of load shedding is high.
The electricity’s public entity Twitter handle Eskom Media Desk @Eskom _MediaDesk stated, “The system is extremely constrained today, the risk of load shedding is high. We urge all electricity customers to reduce their consumption. Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system throughout the day.”
The company urged electricity consumers to reduce their energy usage and reduce the load on the electricity grid by urgently switching off geysers, air conditioners, pool pumps and non-essential appliances.
“There’s 50 percent probability of load shedding today. Any unexpected changes on an already constrained power system could result in load shedding. We ask our customers to continue using electricity sparingly to help reduce demand,” the company said.
Last week 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.
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 loadshedding.eskom.co.za . Municipal customers were urged to contact their local authorities.
Details: 0860 037 566.
