Stage 2 load shedding looming AGAIN on Tuesday due to further breakdowns

What a bleak start to the week, ey? Stage 2 load shedding on Monday and now again on Tuesday 1 June. In fact, this is a bleak start to the new month. We’re just over four hours away from the power cust Mzansi, so we suggest you make the relevant preparations. 

STAGE 2 LOAD SHEDDING TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON TUESDAY 1 JUNE 

We know, we know. It’s cold, the weather is somewhat miserable, there’s snow in certain provinces and Eskom has chosen now to implement Stage 2 load shedding. Not that we would have preferred it any other time but this is pretty much an inconvenient time to cut power supply. 

According to Eskom though, they have a good excuse. It said that due to further breakdowns of generating units at Kriel, Arnot, Majuba and Tutuka Power Stations over the past 24 hours, as well as, delays in returning units to service at Duvha and Tutuka Power Stations, it had no other choice. 

“This load shedding will also assist to replenish the emergency generation reserves, which have been utilised extensively over the past three weeks to avoid load shedding during the day,” it said. 

On Monday it said load shedding was necessary due to the cold front setting in earlier than expected.  

So when can we expect the power cuts? Eskom says it will be implemented from 16:00 on Tuesday afternoon until 5:00 on Wednesday morning so we suggest you check your schedules. 

#PowerAlert1

Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 tomorrow
morning, with a possibility of loadshedding throughout the week@News24 @SABCNews @NewzroomAfrika @eNCA @IOL @ewnupdates @SundayTimesZA @SowetanLIVE @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/G46JOpxAGj

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) June 1, 2021

NOT SUFFICIENT TO ELIMINATE POWER CUTS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK 

Eskom said a generation unit each at Kusile and Arnot returned to service, however, it is not sufficient to eliminate load shedding for the rest of the week. 

“The generation supply constraints will persist throughout the high winter demand period, which increases the likelihood of further load shedding,” it said. 

In fact, Energy Expert Ted Blom recently said he is expecting increased load shedding probability from Wednesday evening 2 June to rise to Stage 4 or above.

Breakdowns currently total 15 360MW of capacity, while another 1 580MW is unavailable due to planned maintenance. 

“Some generation units are expected to return to service starting this evening, which would help ease the strain. Eskom would like to appeal to the public to reduce the usage of electricity in order to assist the country get through these capacity constraints,” it said.