Eskom terminated Stage 2 loadshedding at 06:00 this morning, but foresees a high likelihood of implementing Stage 2 again this evening in order to replenish water resources for its pumped storage schemes and minimise the use of diesel at the open cycle gas turbines.

The power system remains vulnerable. While we were able to replenish water levels at the pumped storage schemes overnight we are currently using these emergency resources including diesel to meet demand today. In the event that we lose other generation units or are unable to bring back those that were out for maintenance, loadshedding may be implemented earlier in the day. We will keep customers informed of the status of the power system.

Plant breakdowns (UCLF) are at 13 471 MW as at 06:00 this morning. Our technical teams continue to monitor the situation, carry out planned maintenance and to work at reducing unplanned outages or breakdowns in order to enable us to minimise the possibility of loadshedding.

We ask customers to reduce demand by using electricity sparingly as a concerted collective effort can help to avoid or reduce the level of loadshedding.

We will keep customers informed on the status of the electricity system.

 

Issued by Eskom