Government12.06.2014

Expect power cuts: Eskom

Eskom

There was a distinct possibility of deliberate countrywide power cuts throughout the country on Thursday evening, Eskom said.

“We are still going to be short of capacity because a number of plants are out of service due to maintenance,” spokesman Andrew Etzinger said.

Cold weather usually led to an increased demand for electricity, putting strain on the national grid, he said.

On Wednesday night, deliberate power cuts took place countrywide after two units at the Duvha and Kendal power stations tripped and a portion of the capacity usually imported from Cahora Bassa became unavailable.

These power stations had been restored by Thursday afternoon.

Earlier Etzinger said the system was usually stable during the day.

“The trouble is in the early evening.”

Eskom appealed for reductions in electricity usage, particularly during the 6pm to 8pm peak period.

“Commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, can make the biggest difference by switching off non-essential lights and not leaving office equipment such as photocopiers and computers in standby mode after hours.”

JOBURG FACES POWER CUTS

Eskom has asked City Power to cut back at least 300MW of electricity on Thursday or face deliberate power cuts, Johannesburg’s power supplier said.

City Power was able to provide 190MW of this figure by ramping up of Kelvin Power Station, City Power said in a statement.

“City Power currently requires 110MW of power from its customers to avoid loadshedding.”

The forced power cuts would happen between 6pm and 9pm.

Cold weather usually led to an increased demand for electricity, putting strain on the national grid, Eskom spokesman Andrew Etzinger said earlier.

On Wednesday night, deliberate power cuts took place countrywide after two units at the Duvha and Kendal power stations tripped and a portion of the capacity usually imported from Cahora Bassa became unavailable.

The power station units had been restored by Thursday afternoon, he said.

Power cuts would take place countrywide after 6pm on Thursday.

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