Eskom implements stage 2 loadshedding, again

Eskom will once again on Monday implement stage 2 loadshedding.

The country has been enduring four-hour-long powercuts since last Thursday with Eskom citing shortage of capacity and breakdown of its generating units as the cause.

“Loadshedding is required all day today to cater for further trips and to create the capacity to replenish water reserves for our pumped storage schemes,” said the power utility in a statement.

The recent rains have also taken a toll on the utility with some of the utility’s power stations experiencing flooding “impacting coal handling and operations which could lead to capacity load losses and impact supply,” Eskom adds.

Eskom had previously highlighted that unplanned breakdowns beyond 10500MW will result in the usage of its emergency resources such as diesel and water at their open gas turbines and pumped storage schemes which could result in loadshedding.

By 06:00am on Monday, unplanned breakdowns were at 12 465MW with Eskom warning that the possibility of implementing loadshedding until the end of the week remaining very high.

The utility appealed with its customers to reduce demand to help lessen implementation of loadshedding.

“As we are experiencing rainy and cooler weather conditions in some parts of the country, we ask that you use efficient heating to keep warm and switch off your geysers over peak periods.”

Eskom adds that it’ll communicate changes and status of the electricity system.

Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented until 23:00pm tonight.