Eskom explains why it brought back stage 2 load-shedding

Eskom says it implemented stage 2 load-shedding at short notice last night after losing five generating units before and during the evening peak. Two of these units were from the Cahora Bassa hydro dam in Mozambique.

The state-owned power utility said it had sufficient emergency reserves for last night’s evening peak, but the breakdowns meant stage 2 load-shedding was required for ten and a half hours overnight.

“Eskom confirms that load-shedding was suspended at 05:00 this morning, supported by a constrained but stable power system and adequate emergency reserves,” it said.

It said four of the five units were rapidly restored and brought back online overnight, along with two additional units from previous outages, resulting in a total generation recovery of approximately 3,000MW.

After suspending load-shedding, Eskom restored an additional 720MW. It said an additional 2,120MW is expected to return to service over the long weekend, contributing to grid stability.

“The previous load-shedding events this year were primarily as a result of insufficient emergency reserves that needed to be replenished following extended delays in returning units to service after maintenance,” explained Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane.

“That was not the case last night.”

Marokane said that with the currently constrained system and the planned use of emergency reserves to manage peak periods, the loss of five units prior to and during the evening peak introduced a generation capacity shortage.

The shortage could unfortunately not be mitigated otherwise, he said.

“Once more, we offer an apology to the country as we navigate these challenges and for our inability to give a warning in advance,” said Marokane.

“We are reviewing our protocols with the intent of striking a good balance in the timing of our issuing of warnings should it be necessary.”

Marokane reiterate Eskom’s commitment to ensuring that South Africa would in no way return to the levels of load-shedding experienced in 2023.

“Our focus remains on delivering a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable power system for the country,” he said.