Stage 2 load shedding

Image via: Adobe Stock

Alert: Load-shedding returns this morning and continues until Sunday

Eskom said its emergency generation reserves have been used extensively in the past several days to avoid having to enforce load-shedding during the day

Stage 2 load shedding

Image via: Adobe Stock

Brace yourselves for more hours in the dark: Eskom has announced it will be implementing Stage 2 load-shedding on Wednesday morning, 9 June 2021, at 10:00, all the way until Sunday evening at 22:00.

In a statement, the power utility has cited delays in returning its generation units to service for the move.

“Due to the continued delays in returning generation units to service at Kusile, Tutuka, Duvha, Kendal and Koeberg Power Stations, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 10:00 today until 22:00 on Sunday night. In addition, these constraints have been exacerbated by the high winter demand throughout the day over the past few days as brought about by the colder temperatures”

Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha

The power utility has been turning off the lights for about a month now, the most recent action being on Tuesday, when load-shedding was scheduled from 17:00. In the previous week, Eskom suspended the Koeberg power station’s general manager Velaphi Ntuli over performance issues related to the delayed return to service, which would have helped alleviate the effects of the power cuts.

Should we expect more load-shedding?

Eskom has added that its emergency generation reserves have been used extensively in the past several days to avoid having to enforce load-shedding during the day.

“This has resulted in these being depleted, reducing available capacity. It is, therefore, necessary to implement load-shedding continuously in order to replenish the emergency reserves. Eskom will communicate promptly should there be any changes,” Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said.

“Breakdowns currently total 13 752MW of capacity, while planned maintenance is 1 273MW of capacity”

The power utility said capacity constraints would continue for the foreseeable future and has further called on South Africans to reduce their electricity use to ease pressure off the grid, mainly between 17:00 and 22:00, when the winter demand is the highest.