Power systems under pressure this week: Eskom

The national power system will be tight on Monday evening and is expected to stay that way during peak hours for the rest of the week, Eskom said.

“The capacity available to meet this evening’s peak demand is 35,191 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 35,244 MW,” the power utility said in a statement.

Current planned maintenance stood at 2685 MW. Unplanned outages were 5250 MW.

Eskom said the strain on the power system was because of the cold weather.

Peak demand for the rest of the week was forecast at 34,824 MW on Tuesday, 34,768 MW on Wednesday, 34,896 MW on Thursday and 33,274 MW on Friday.

On Saturday it would be 32,962 MW and Sunday 32,732 MW.

Last week, a power emergency was declared for two consecutive days. By Friday it had stabilised.

Eskom spokesman Andrew Etzinger said at the time that although the system would be strained this week there were no plans for power cuts.

Eskom has asked consumers to use electricity sparingly, particularly between 5pm and 9pm.

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