Eskom said South Africans should expect ongoing load-shedding during the evening peak period throughout winter.<\/p>\n
The power utility implemented stage 2 load-shedding on Sunday evening because of 10 unit breakdowns at 7 power stations.<\/p>\n
The breakdowns included 3 generation units at Tutuka, one unit at Majuba, one unit at Kriel, and one unit at the Matla power station.<\/p>\n
There were also trips at a unit each at Medupi, Kusile, and the Duvha power stations.<\/p>\n
The latest load-shedding does not come as a surprise – Eskom has been struggling to cope with demand for a few weeks.<\/p>\n
Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha previously warned the grid has been under severe pressure and Eskom has not been able to meet peak evening demand.<\/p>\n
On Monday 3 May, for example, demand exceeded supply by 254MW. On Tuesday Eskom was 158MW short and on Wednesday there was a deficit of 711MW.<\/p>\n
The only reason load-shedding was not implemented is because of load curtailment where large companies are forced to reduce their power consumption.<\/p>\n
Eskom suspended load-shedding earlier today after an improvement in supply capacity, Mantshantsha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeven generation units returned to service over the past 24 hours, helping to ease the supply constraints,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Eskom further expects improvement in the supply this week as more generation units will be returned to service.<\/p>\n
Stage 2 load-shedding will, however, return between 17:00 and 22:00 tonight as Eskom will not be able to meet demand during the evening peak.<\/p>\n
Mantshantsha added that South Africans should prepare themselves for ongoing load-shedding in the coming months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a likelihood of ongoing load-shedding during the evening peak period – 17:00 to 22:00 – throughout winter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This is in line with Eskom\u2019s previous comments that people should expect load-shedding to be a reality for the better part of the year.<\/p>\n
Eskom expects some improvements from September 2021, but even then load-shedding will not be completely eliminated.<\/p>\n
\nDue to an improvement in supply capacity, @Eskom_SA<\/a> has suspended loadshedding from 04:00 today, but will resume Stage 2 loadshedding between 5 pm and 10 pm tonight, with the likelihood of ongoing loadshedding during the evening peak period (5 pm to 10 pm) throughout the winter<\/p>\n
\u2014 SikonathiMantshantsh (@SikonathiM) May 18, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n