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Eskom has officially implemented Stage 4 loadshedding from 1 pm Monday, 8 November 2021. Stage 4 will last until 5 am, 12 November 2021. After that, Stage 2 will be reinstated until 5 am on Saturday, 13 November 2021.
According to the power utility, this is due to ongoing generation capacity shortages and failures.
STAGE 4 – Loadshedding Schedules
Newcastle Municipality loadshedding schedule, download here.
eThekwini (Durban) Municipality loadshedding schedule, download here.
Endumeni (Dundee) loadshedding schedule, download here.
Utrecht (eMadlangeni) loadshedding schedule, download here.
STAGE 2 – Loadshedding Schedules
Newcastle Municipality loadshedding schedule, download here.
eThekwini (Durban) Municipality loadshedding schedule, download here.
Endumeni (Dundee) loadshedding schedule, download here.
Utrecht (eMadlangeni) loadshedding schedule, download here.
According to Eskom, this weekend’s events necessitated extensive use of emergency generating reserves, preventing the recovery of dam levels at the pumped storage power stations and depleting already low diesel levels at the power stations.
Because the power system is still volatile and unpredictable, higher levels of loadshedding may be necessary.
On Saturday, 6 November 2021, a significant incident occurred in Zambia, affecting the entire Southern African Power Pool.
During this incident, Cahora Bassa’s imported power was reduced by 1000MW, and a Tutuka generator tripped.
Furthermore, a unit at Tutuka power station was forced to shut down, and units at Lethabo and Majuba power stations were delayed in returning to normal.
Adding to the chaos, on 7 November 2021, a unit at each of the Medupi and Matla power stations tripped. Due to the high demand for OCGTs over the last two weeks, diesel stock is limited. The power utility says, “Bulk diesel supply for the OCGT power stations is expected in mid-November.”
Total breakdowns currently stand at 16 693MW, with 5 769MW of capacity scheduled for maintenance. “Eskom teams successfully returned two of the three generators at Kendal Power Station following the shut down on Friday, 5 November 2021, due to coal constraints.”
Both the Lethabo and Majuba power stations have returned to service following boiler tube leak repairs. During the week, 12 generating units with a total capacity of 5 271MW are expected to return to service. “We remind customers that loadshedding is implemented as a last resort to maintain the stability of the power system regardless of the stage of loadshedding,” Eskom stresses.
UPDATE with regards to stage 4 loadshedding from Monday:
“While Eskom regrets the escalation in loadshedding, it is necessary to ration the remaining emergency generation reserves, which have been utilised extensively this morning as we are not getting the reduction in the demand as expected from the implementation of Stage 2 loadshedding.”
According to the power utility, an additional seven units were expected to be back in service by Monday. This has not happened. In addition, a generating unit at the Arnot power station tripped on Monday morning, adding to the shortages.
Total breakdowns currently stand at 14 874MW, with 5 576MW of capacity scheduled for maintenance.
What are your thoughts on this week’s loadshedding? Share your views in the comment section below.
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