Eskom is on the verge of plunging South Africa into yet another dark period of Stage 2 loadshedding following a further loss in generation capacity.
When will Eskom implement Stage 2 loadshedding?
In a statement, the embattled utility conceded to losing generation capacity due to unplanned breakdowns at a number of its power stations.
While technicians are on hand to deal with unit failures at Arnot, Kusile and the Koeberg power stations, Stage 2 loadshedding “:might be required to be implemented at short notice during the evening peak period of 16:00 – 00:00 over the next three days.”
“The delay in returning a generation unit to service each at Arnot, Kusile and the Koeberg power stations, as well as the failure of a generation unit each at Medupi, Hendrina, Camden and two units at Majuba power station, have exacerbated the capacity constraints. Some generation units at other power stations are expected to return to service over the next three days,” the power utility explained.
At the time this article was published, loadshedding had not been implemented. However, Eskom warned that “any further loss of generation capacity over the next three days, or should some units fail to return to service as anticipated, loadshedding may be required to be implemented at short notice.”
On Tuesday, Eskom had 2 986MW of power out on planned maintenance, while another 15 513MW of capacity remains unavailable due to unplanned breakdowns.
In the event that Stage 2 loadshedding is implemented, readers from these metros can check the latest loadshedding schedule below:
