Eskom on Tuesday advised South Africa that load shedding remains a possibility as the system remains constrained and vulnerable, with generating plant performing at very low levels of reliability.
“With unplanned breakdowns that are above 10 500 MW as at 06h00, the probability of load shedding remains, but will only be implemented if absolutely necessary,” Eskom described.
“There is sufficient diesel for our open cycle gas turbines and water at the pumped storage schemes to supplement the shortage of capacity, if required.”
The power utility said that its Emergency Response Command Centre (ERCC) continues to monitor the system closely.
“Eskom wishes to remind customers that any unexpected shift, such as additional unplanned breakdowns or the unavailability of diesel for open cycle gas turbines or low water levels at the pumped storage schemes, could result in load shedding at short notice,” it said.
“As communicated in the Summer Plan on 4 of September 2019, unplanned breakdowns above 9 500 MW require the use of emergency resources at a high rate and they increase the probability of load shedding if the supply constraints are sustained for a long period.”
Eskom urges users to reduce demand to avoid load shedding
“A concerted collective effort to reduce demand can help to lessen the level of load shedding,” Eskom said.
“And as such, we strongly urge customers to assist by helping to reduce demand by using electricity sparingly.”
- Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC
- Switch off your geysers over peak periods
- Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time
- Set your swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time for optimal energy use
- At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch. Avoid stand-by or sleep mode.
Eskom added that customers are advised to check their load shedding schedules on the Eskom or municipal websites.
“We remind customers that load shedding is conducted rotationally as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout,” it added.
“We will continue to keep South Africans informed about the status of the electricity system.”