No reprieve as load shedding continues over Easter weekend

On the same day that government terminated the national state of disaster on electricity, Eskom announced that stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm on Wednesday until 5am on Friday.

Eskom interim spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said the rolling blackouts will then vary between different stages.

“Thereafter, varying stages of load shedding up to stage 3 will be implemented daily until 5am on Tuesday next week. Eskom will publish a further update as soon as any significant changes occur.”

Breakdowns

Mokwena said breakdowns are contributing to the high stages of load shedding.

“Breakdowns are currently at 16 644MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance has reduced to 6 400MW ahead of the winter period.”

She said over the past 24 hours a generation unit was returned to service at Arnot Power Station.

“In the same period, a generating unit each at Eskom‘s Arnot, Lethabo, Kriel and Tutuka power stations were taken offline for repairs. The delays in returning a unit to service at Kusile, Medupi and Tutuka power stations have contributed to the capacity constraints.”

National state of disaster

Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Thembi Nkadimeng said since the declaration of the national state of disaster on electricity in February, government has adopted regulations which set out the responsibilities to mitigate the impact of load shedding.

Nkadimeng and Electricity Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa were briefing the media on Tuesday on the withdrawal of the national state of disaster.

“All regulations and directions made in terms of Section 27(2) of the Act pursuant to the declaration of the national state of disaster to deal with the impact or the severe electricity supply constraint are repealed,” it said.

Interventions

Nkadimeng said government’s decision to withdraw the state of disaster was informed by the interventions that have been put in place.

She said work done by the energy crisis committee had ensured the impact of load shedding is mitigated.

“The decision to declare the national state of disaster at the time, was based on the impact of the severe load shedding on the economy and society and the threat of a progression to a total blackout.”

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