Wednesday, 10 March 2021: Regrettably, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented
at 17:00 this afternoon until 23:00 Friday night as the generation capacity is
severely constrained. There is a probability that loadshedding may be
implemented at short notice should any further breakdowns occur before then.
Continued
poor performance at the Kusile, Duvha and Tutuka Power Stations, as well as
delays in returning some other units to service and breakdowns over the last
week, have caused the need to implement this loadshedding. Eskom has had to
extensively utilise the emergency generation reserves, which are being rapidly
depleted. This period of loadshedding will be used to replenish the emergency
generation reserves.
We
currently have 6 212MW on planned maintenance, while another 11 217MW of
capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays. This has led to our
inability to supply the increasing demand.
There
is a high probability that loadshedding may continue to be implemented
throughout the weekend, depending on plants returning to service from planned
maintenance, as well as the levels of the emergency generation reserves.
Eskom
will continue to assess and communicate promptly as the situation changes.
As
previously communicated, Eskom continues to implement reliability maintenance
during this period, and as such the system will continue to be constrained,
with the possibility of loadshedding remaining elevated.
Eskom
requests the public to continue using electricity sparingly as the system
remains vulnerable and unpredictable, and we will communicate timeously should
there be any significant changes to the power system.
ENDS