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The parastatal implemented stage 2 load shedding from 4pm on Thursday due to high electricity demand.
Eskom is planning for winter. Photo: iStock
Eskom said its planned maintenance is on track to ensure the lights stay on during winter.
The parastatal implemented stage 2 load shedding from 4pm on Thursday due to high electricity demand.
The utility’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, said the electricity grid has since recovered.
“Following the recovery of approximately 2 015MW of generation capacity, an expected decline in electricity demand, and sufficient emergency reserves, load shedding was suspended at midnight.
ALSO READ: Eskom implements stage 2 load shedding from Thursday until Friday
“Planned maintenance continues to ensure system readiness for increased winter demand, to meet regulatory requirements, and to ensure environmental compliance,” Mokwena said.
In March, the parastatal warned that its planned maintenance outages would continue as it prepares for the upcoming winter season.
Last week, Eskom said it was currently undertaking high levels of planned maintenance, accounting for 15.41% of generation capacity. It added that this is a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to Eskom, this maintenance will improve the performance and reliability of its fleet ahead of winter, when demand increases.
Mokwena added that Eskom’s teams “remain committed” to restoring approximately 6 000mw to service by next Tuesday.
“Eskom will release its Power Alert later today or provide further communication as needed.”
Load shedding was last implemented on 19 March this year following the loss of multiple generating units.
Last month, Eskom got a boost, with Kusile Power Station’s final generation unit adding 800MW to the electricity grid for the first time.
Kusile Power Station’s Unit 6 was brought back online after maintenance.
Eskom said the unit will undergo further testing over the next six months before being officially integrated into the grid and formally becoming part of the utility’s generation fleet.
This achievement marks a crucial step towards Eskom’s objective of adding 2 500mw of new capacity to the grid.
The utility’s CEO, Dan Marokane, said Kusile Unit 6’s addition showed that Eskom is making progress in “stabilising and strengthening” South Africa’s electricity supply.
ALSO READ: Eskom gets boost as Kusile’s final unit adds 800MW to grid
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