Publications
Partners
Cape Town – South Africa has been spared load shedding for a sixth day in a row on Wednesday after Eskom announced it has enough electricity generating capacity to meet demand for the first half of the day.
It however cautioned in a statement that the grid may be constrained later on.
“The power system is stable at present but is expected to be constrained during the evening peak period (5pm – 9pm).
“Eskom will keep you updated on the state of the power system and advise the public accordingly should the need to load shed in the evening arise,” it said.
On Tuesday energy expert, Chris Yelland, warned consumers of becoming too optimistic after Eskom successfully performed the first part of its planned maintenance drive without load shedding since April 24.
READ: No load shedding? Don't get too optimistic, warns expert
According to Yelland the fact that there was no load shedding over the long weekend was not unexpected, due to particularly low demand over the weekend.
Eskom’s acting Chief Executive Brian Molefe said in a statement on Tuesday the maintenance teams were able to perform planned maintenance on 2 303 MW of generating plant over the long weekend. They also returned 1 643 MW of generating capacity back to service.
The generating units that were taken out for scheduled maintenance include Komati Unit 4 (91 MW); Ankerlig Unit 41 (147 MW); Kriel Unit 5 (475 MW); Kendal Unit 1 (640 MW); Camden Unit 2 (190 MW); Camden Unit 3 (185 MW); and Matla Unit 4 (575 MW). The units that have been returned back online are Komati Unit 4 (91 MW); Camden Unit 2 (190 MW); Ankerlig Unit 41 (147 MW); Kendal Unit 1 (640 MW); and Matla Unit 4 (575 MW).
Plans are in place to continue with the maintenance drive this coming long weekend.
