Cape Town - Eskom has enough electricity generating capacity to meet demand and does not anticipate that there will be load shedding for most of the day, the power utility said in a statement on Tuesday.
However, although stable at present, the power system is expected to be constrained from 17:00 to 21:00.
Eskom started implementing stage 1 load shedding last Wednesday afternoon, breaking an almost six day spell of no power cuts, but only limited it to the evening peak period.
"In the past seven days (168 hours), Eskom has only had to load shed for about 7 hours and 47 minutes," it said in a statement.
On Monday Eskom said it was necessary to take 1 000 MW out of the grid due to maintenance. "This means that although certain areas will be without electricity for a certain period, about 96% of South Africans will still continue to receive power supply at the same time."
It said load shedding is implemented as a necessary measure to protect the power system and to ensure that maintenance is carried out to guarantee that our supply of electricity can be maintained in the long term.
Eskom has made an urgent call for power users to pull together over the next few months and use electricity sparingly.
"Homeowners and businesses can do so with just four steps: first, switching off geysers and pool pumps; second, switching off non-essential lights; third, efficient use of air-conditioners by keeping the room temperature at 23°C; and finally, responding to the alerts on TV each evening."
Electricity supply and demand outlook for the rest of the week:
Tuesday (05 May): The capacity available to meet the evening peak demand is 30 466 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 32 345 MW.
Wednesday (06 May): The capacity available to meet the evening’s peak demand is 31 497 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 31 979 MW.
Thursday (07 May): The capacity available to meet the evening’s peak demand is 31 135 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 32 341 MW.
Friday (08 May): The capacity available to meet the evening’s peak demand is 32 933 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 30 908 MW.
Saturday (09 May): The capacity available to meet the evening’s peak demand is 33 764 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 30 267 MW.
Sunday (10 May): The capacity available to meet the evening’s peak demand is 34 041 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 29 990 MW.
Save this site: GridWatch