After a tumultuous Easter weekend load-shedding schedule, that ranged from no shedding to Stage 3, Eskom recently announced the return of Stage 5 load shedding, much to the country’s delight.
According to its most recent Power Alert, the current Stage 3 shedding will continue until 17:00 on Tuesday, 11 April. Thereafter, we’ll have to endure Stage 5 shedding through Tuesday night until 05:00 on Wednesday morning when we’ll switch back to Stage 3 until 16:00, followed by some more Stage 5.
The load shedding itch that Eskom can’t scratch
Feedback from Evening Peak 10/04/2023 (18:38)
Eskom Availabilty: 25 920 MW
Total Demand: 27 215 MW
Load shedding: 2735 MW
———————————
Renewable Generation: 1499 MW
IPP Availability: 1014 MW
Number of OCGTs Utilised: 2RES: Wind 1128 MW, CSP 324 MW, PV 47 MW
Eskom availability…
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) April 10, 2023
The power utility has only provided a schedule for the first three days of this week, until Wednesday, 12 April but the current flip-flopping between Stages 3 and 5 is likely to continue for the rest of the week.
Eskom indicated that the loss of power generation due to breakdowns currently sits at 14,940MW while a further 7,215MW is out of commission for planned maintenance.
Read More: Load shedding isn’t leaving: Tips to keep your business running during the dark times
The utility also said that it had suffered delays in returning generating units to service at Camden, Lethabo, Kriel, Medupi, and Tutuka power stations. Those delays, together with the loss of two more units at Kriel Power Station and a further unit at Kendal Power Station have resulted in the increased load-shedding stages.
And with an expected increase in electricity demand as much of the country returns to work after the Easter weekend, Eskom said a further increase in load-shedding stages might be required. We certainly hope it doesn’t come to that.
