Stage 1 load shedding to continue through Friday 10 January
Load shedding will continue to cause disruptions on Friday 10 January, as Eskom struggles to reduce its number of generation breakdowns.
While the situation has shown a slight improvement, with Eskom managing to increase its capacity by just over 2 000 MW, the utility’s predicament still remains dire. On Friday morning, Eskom announced that it had managed to repair some generation units but that the additions would not be enough to mitigate rotational cuts.
Load shedding on Friday 10 January 2020
Stage 1 load shedding will be implemented from 06:00 until 23:00 on Friday 10 January. The utility noted:
“This is the result of an improved prognosis for the day as some generating units return to service.”
Eskom added that it planned to conserve its diesel storage supplies and, if the need arose, operate its open cycle gas turbine generators (OCGT) – which have been used to minimise the effects of load shedding in the past. The use of OCGTs, however, force Eskom down a deeper of hole of financial distress and have been considered a poor ‘cure’ for the utility’s numerous and varied operational failures.
Replying to warranted concerns regarding the use of diesel, Eskom said:
“Our intention is, however, to use as little diesel as possible in order to manage our costs. Our diesel generators will therefore only be used in the event of emergencies to back up our other units.”
Eskom debacle ruining political alliances
Eskom’s grim start to 2020 has raised further concerns about the utility’s sustainability and government’s inability to secure a functioning power supply to the nation. The contestation has also caused a political rift, with sentiment, both within the African National Congress (ANC) government and parliament.
Deputy President David Mabuza, explained that President Cyril Ramaphosa – who had promised to keep the lights on between 17 December and 13 January – was misled by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and other members of parliament.
Gordhan, who has been tasked with ensuring Eskom’s turnaround, is regarded as one of the president’s closest political allies within the ANC. The latest allegations, painting the picture of a relationship that had soured because of poor oversight and misinformation regarding Eskom, are likely to hold far-reaching repercussions for the ruling party.
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