Image via Adobe Stock
Eskom announces Stage 4 load shedding on Tuesday 10 March
Brace yourselves, our load shedding dilemma is about to change gears. Eskom just announced that we’ll move from stage 2 to stage 4 load shedding.
Image via Adobe Stock
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Eskom announced that Stage 2 load shedding will move to Stage 4 as from 14:00 on Tuesday 10 March 2020.
Stage 4 load shedding on Tuesday 10 March 2020
Eskom explains that “Koeberg Unit 1 tripped”. According to our embattled power utility, the unit has been disconnected from the grid due to a fault on the turbine side”. Eskom explained:
“[…] the nuclear reactor remains safe. The teams are investigating the root cause of the fault, and will advise of the remedy as soon as its established.”
Therefore, after a loss of approximately 930 MW units and the additional strain on the generation fleet, Eskom had to implement stage 4 load shedding.
#POWERALERT 2
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 10, 2020
Date: 10 March 2020
Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented from 14:00 today due to additional breakdowns@News24 @TimesLIVE @eNCA @iol @SABCNewsOnline @TheCitizen_News @SAfmRadio @POWER987News @ukhozi_fm @METROFMSA @ewnupdates @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/rppnVw4xxj
Use electricity sparingly to assist us in reducing demand pic.twitter.com/HqSAfHn2ka
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 9, 2020
Eskom added that the “ageing fleet is currently constrained, unpredictable and vulnerable”. That means that Eskom could change the stage of load shedding at short notice as “unexpected changes” impact performance.
Such as moving from stage 2 to stage 4 in a mere matter of hours.
Light at the end of the (load shedded) tunnel
Don’t worry too much, though… Eskoms says we may “soon emerge from these difficult times”, but only through partnership between Eskom and all stakeholders. And of course, the cooperation of every citizen to reduce demand.
“We urge every South African to co-operate in managing electricity consumption with care to help us minimise load shedding. We thank you for your co-operating and understanding so far”.
‘Understanding’ might be pushing it a tad, Eskom. Just a tad.
Load shedding tips: How to reduce demand
In addition, demand has “also risen incrementally since January”. To that end, Eskom is calling on citizens to use electricity sparingly and assist the struggling utility in reducing the demand
Some of Eskom’s suggestions to stave off moving beyond stage 4 load shedding include shortening your morning shower and placing frozen food in the fridge to defrost instead of using the microwave.
Furthermore, Eskom suggests that we unplug phone chargers before we leave the house; as well as switching off geysers during peak periods.
Residents with swimming pools are advised to run the pool pump cycle twice a day for three hours at a time. Additional tips include:
“Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time. […] At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines at the switch”.
