No load-shedding expected during the Covid-19 lockdown

Eskom has announced in a statement on 26 March that they do not expect to implement load-shedding during the Covid-19 lockdown as demand has decreased.

According to the power utility, the demand for electricity has dropped by more than 6 000MW since Thursday, 26 March. Further demand reduction is expected to take place during the lockdown.

Eskom has started taking some generational units off-grid. “These units are available to return to service at short notice should the need arise,” said Eskom.

The number of workers on-site will be kept at a minimum. “We have shifted the focus to carrying out short-term maintenance and other reports in order to optimise the generation units to meet the rising demand after lockdown.”

Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 9 116MW as of 4.16pm on 26 March and planned maintenance outages were at 5 279MW.

As an essential and critical service supplier, some of Eskom’s personnel are exempt from the provisions of the lockdown. “Our suppliers, particularly the coal mines, are logistics suppliers and those supplying the parts and maintenance services at our power stations will be able to operate during the lockdown.”

Related Article:

Eskom employees who illegally connected community using Eskom transformer arrested