Stage 2 load shedding Eskom

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Eskom: Likelihood of weekend load shedding has increased significantly

South Africa’s load shedding free days are set to come to an end this weekend as Eskom lose generating capacity overnight.

Stage 2 load shedding Eskom

Image via Adobe Stock

Eskom have warned that there is a high likelihood that load shedding will be implemented today (Saturday 7 March) with the system constrained, vulnerable and unpredictable.

Load shedding looms: Eskom lose generating capacity overnight

Everyone’s favourite malfunctioning parastatal released a statement on 7 March revealing that seven generation units at four power stations had been lost overnight.

Read- Eskom expects stage 8 in 2021 unless they receive support

The Duvha, Tutuka, Kriel and Grootvlei plants have been identified but Eskom were unable to elaborate on the technical faults. The power company said the incidents were under investigation.

Eskom are currently using what they term ‘expensive emergency generation reserves’ to make up for the lost generating capacity but warned that this was unsustainable and urged customers to save electricity wherever possible.

Load shedding holiday could be over

Load shedding is likely to be necessary as the power utility conducts ‘critical maintenance to their ageing power plants.

South Africa has experienced a break from load shedding since 22 February 2020.

Eskom have not confirmed when exactly load shedding would return but intimated that it was only a matter of time before South Africans would have to deal with power outages once again.

Eskom loadshedding
Duvha Power Station seen from the outskirts of Witbank, Mpumalanga. Bankenveld Golf Estate, with turquoise roofs, is seen in the foreground. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

“We, therefore, request customers to use electricity sparingly and to reduce demand during this period. Eskom also wishes to remind South Africans that there is a possibility of load shedding over the next 18 months, as we are conducting critical maintenance to restore the aging plant to good health,” Eskom said.

Five ways you can save power and help avoid load shedding

To assist in reducing the stage of load shedding, Eskom appeal to customers to use electricity sparingly:

  1. Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23C.
  2. Switch off your geysers over peak periods.
  3. Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time.
  4. Set your swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time.
  5. At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch.

Eskom have issued an appeal to South African to revisit their loadshedding schedules on the Eskom website (https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za) or local municipal websites, depending on their electricity supplier, to review amendments.