Eskom: Risk of load shedding remains

The power utility announced on 29 October that its power system was severely constrained due to technical problems experienced at some of its power stations and the loss of additional generating units.

According to the power utility, the power system would remain severely constrained for the rest of the week and it called on customers to use electricity sparingly during the evening peak from 6pm to 8pm.

However, the utility warned that the risk of load shedding was expected to continue into November.

“We are transitioning into a typical summer load profile and a period when maintenance is increased,” the power utility said in a statement.

“As the system is tight, any additional problems experienced on the plant increase the risk of load shedding. This risk will continue into November.”

Load shedding schedules were available on the Eskom website but would only be actioned if the electricity demand did not decrease.

Eskom customers could also contact the power utility’s customer call centre on 086 003 7566 and municipal customers should contact their municipalities for load shedding details.

Eskom had to implement power cuts in March and again in June as it did not have sufficient reserves to keep the country’s lights on.

The power utility had admitted that its aging fleet of power stations had contributed to power supply constraints.

However, the utility said the first generators at the Medupi Power Station would start contributing energy to the national grid by May 2015.