SA is about to have a record breaking year of load shedding. Image via: Adobe Stock
SA is about to have a record breaking year of load shedding. Image via: Adobe Stock
Just leave us alone for a week, would you? Eskom has piped up with some more concerning news on Tuesday, revealing that they are on high alert due to power outages at no more than five of their electricity generation units.
Load shedding inbound? Eskom issue ‘power alert’ for Tuesday 16 November
Though no load shedding has been announced yet, the pre-warning should be enough to boil the blood of millions of South Africans. Already this month, we’ve had to suffer one of the most punishing load shedding schedules ever.
Stage 4 cuts kept Mzansi in the dark last week, and just as the storm clouds cleared, more turbulent conditions have returned for the energy grid. Judging by the tone of Eskom’s most recent statement, we’re all in for a bumpy ride…
“While no load shedding is being implemented, Eskom would like to request the public’s assistance in reducing the use of electricity, as the power system is severely constrained. Five generation units at various power stations have failed throughout the day, and should there be any further losses, load shedding at short notice may be required.
Eskom statement
What’s gone wrong, again?
Citizens are being encouraged to limit their electricity usage on Tuesday evening, as Eskom fights to keep the lights on for another day. However, with present circumstances stacked against the utility, it’s difficult not to fear for the worst…
- A unit at Kusile and a unit at Majuba were taken offline to repair boiler tube leaks.
- Elsewhere, units at Kriel, Matimba, and Majuba – again – simply tripped.
- There’s additional pressure on the grid too, as units at Kenda and Tutuka failed to come back online as scheduled.
- Nearly 22 000 MW of power is offline in South Africa right now, due to these various issues.
- You can read Eskom’s full statement on the matter here:
#POWERALERT1
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) November 16, 2021
Eskom requests the public to reduce the usage of electricity as the power system is severely constrained following the failure of five generating units pic.twitter.com/gWiokvBmVS
