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Eskom announced that further loadshedding is to be expected this week.
On Monday, 7 March 2022, the state-owned power utility explained that due to multiple generating unit failures, Eskom would have to implement Stage 2 loadshedding between 5 pm on Monday until 5 am on Wednesday, 9 March 2022.
However, since Monday morning (7 March 2022), units at the Matla, Kendal, Matimba, Kusile, and Grootvlei power stations tripped. This, while a unit each at Arnot and Hendrina power stations were forced shut down.
According to Eskom, this is in addition to other units that had tripped during the weekend, reducing available generation capacity forcing Eskom to rely heavily on emergency generation reserves to keep the lights on.
Nevertheless, Eskom hosted a media briefing on Tuesday morning, 8 March 2022. During the briefing, Eskom Chief Operating Officer Jan Oberholzer said that the power utility would continue with stage 2 loadshedding for the rest of the week as Eskom continues to bring units back online.
According to Oberholzer, loadshedding will continue until 5 am on Saturday, 12 March 2022.
Additional units are expected to return to service over the coming days, but due to the unpredictability of these units, Eskom apparently has no choice but to extend the load shedding, stated Oberholzer.
To see your loadshedding schedule, click here.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that the power utility faces severe challenges, which can be remedied through the government’s procurement of additional power.
“Eskom is dealing with a very difficult situation. We are short of 4000MW so when they reach their availability factor – which is low – then they are challenged because they don’t have an additional 4000MW.”
“Once we’ve got an additional 4000MW, we are in a much better position. This is important for the economy, for the people of South Africa.”
However, he emphasises that South Africa’s leadership wants to see this resolved. However, he notes there will be hiccups, as well as ups and downs along the way. “But the matter is being addressed, he said.”
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One Response
Dag sê, ek verstaan nie hoe 4,5 of 6 opwekkingseenhede by verskillende kragstasies gelyktydig breek nie. Dit is agterdogtig.