No load shedding planned for Saturday despite constrained system
No load shedding is expected on Saturday as a result of a drop in demand during the holiday period and a return of some generating units to service, state-owned power utility Eskom said.
Load shedding update, 28 December 2019
Eskom said in a statement that it will “continue to use emergency reserves to supplement capacity if necessary, and added:
“We, however, remind customers that as the system continues to be vulnerable and unpredictable, the possibility of load shedding remains”.
Power alert dated 28 December 2019.
As per Eskom’s power alert, breakdowns (UCLF) were at 12 535MW as at 6.30 on Saturday 28 December 2019. However, Eskom’s technical teams will continue to work over the holiday period to monitor the situation.
The teams will also be available to carry out planned maintenance and to work at reducing unplanned breakdowns to below 9 500MW to “enable the parastatal to minimise the possibility of load shedding.”
“We continue to ask customers to reduce demand as a concerted collective effort can help to avoid or lessen the level of load shedding,” Eskom said
Power alert dated 28 December 2019.
The team will keep South Africans informed about the status of the electricity system and recovery efforts. In addition, users are urged to follow updates on Eskom’s official social media handles.
#POWERALERT 1
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) December 28, 2019
Date: 28 December 2019
No loadshedding expected today, despite a constrained and vulnerable system pic.twitter.com/pzsrRAYmPO
Fake news fiasco
Earlier this month, the power utility clamped down on fake news alerts. The power utility at the time issued a notice “to correct fictitious and misleading information”.
One way to prevent the spread of misinformation is to only follow Eskom’s official social media accounts as there are several parody accounts bent on spreading false information.
It is up to each South African to fact check suspicious news claims before sharing fake news on social media; and to verify that the information comes from an official source. Official handles are as follows:
- Twitter: @Eskom_SA
- Facebook: Eskom Hld SOC Ltd
- LinkedIn Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
Holiday precautions
Furthermore, Eskom warns: “Just because you are on holiday doesn’t mean that criminals are also taking a break.”
Moreover, the power utility urges South Africans to report any illegal connections and electricity crimes by dialling 0860 03 7566, or by messaging the crime line on 32211.
Also read:
- Eskom forced to deny more “fake news”, after mystery voice-note surfaces
- Load shedding: Eskom cry fake news over “national blackout” claims
Additional reporting by African News Agency (ANA), editing by Jacques Keet
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