Eskom sent waves of frustration across South Africa when, out of the blue, the power utility confirmed the return of stage 2 loadshedding from Monday evening.
UPDATE: Eskom extends Stage 2 loadshedding until Saturday 12 March 2022
The power utility issued a notice on social media, on Tuesday, confirming stage 2 loadshedding will be extended until Saturday 12 March 2022.
“Due to the unreliability of the generators, and to prevent a higher stage of loadshedding, Stage 2 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until 05:00 on Saturday 12 March. Eskom would like to apologise for the implementation of loadshedding, and will continuously review the situation and act appropriately as circumstances change,” the power utility noted in a statement.
Total breakdowns, at the time this article was updated, amounted to 16 505MW, with planned maintenance reportedly at 5 505MW.
Here is Eskom’s full statement:
#PowerAlert1
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 8, 2022
Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented continuously until 05:00 on Saturday@SABCNews @eNCA @Newzroom405 @ewnreporter @News24 pic.twitter.com/SvvjvmdysY
Stage 2 loadshedding returns on Monday: Here’s what we know
In a statement, the state-owned electricity provider confirmed the unexpected break down of Medupi Unit 3 as the chief reason behind the decision to implement rotational power outages continuously, starting at 17:00 on Monday, until 05:00 on Wednesday 9 March 2022.
Further development to the #PowerAlert: Medupi Unit 3 broke down a short while ago. This requires Stage 2 loadshedding to be implemented continuously starting at 17:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Wednesday. https://t.co/l1et1AKPdn
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 7, 2022
The power utility further explained that the status of South Africa’s power system was hampered by “multiple generating unit failures over the past 24 hours.”
“Eskom regrets to inform the public that Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented between 21:00 and 05:00 on Tuesday. This will be repeated same time on Tuesday night until 05:00 on Wednesday. This loadshedding is required in order for Eskom to replenish the emergency generation reserves, which have been utilised significantly since the past weekend,” the statement read.
According to Eskom, the bane of South Africa’s current troubles with energy production are is concentrated at Matla, Kendal, Marimba, Kusile and Grootvlei power stations, where multiple units tripped for reasons not yet known.
It was further confirmed that at Arnot and Hendrina power stations, several units were forced to shut down “in addition to other units that had tripped during the weekend.”
“Total breakdowns amount to 14 508MW while planned maintenance is 6 307MW of capacity as we continue with the reliability maintenance,” the power utility added.
While Eskom hoped to get several units reconnected and feeding energy to the power grid, the state-owned entity did warn that notices will be made “should there be any significant changes to the power system.”