Eskom: High chance of load shedding on Friday 10 July

The possibility of load shedding on Friday 10 July has increased following the loss of five generation units.

South Africa’s embattled power utility, Eskom, confirmed that the electrical system remained severely constrained following further decreases in generational capacity. The latest loss of units follows a particularly dire week for the power supplier, which has been forced to halt high-risk maintenance work due to intimidation and cut supply to defaulting municipalities.

The strong cold front in the Western Cape has resulted in damage to infrastructure which has only added to Eskom’s woes.

Eskom: Potential for load shedding on Friday 10 July

Multiple load shedding warnings, accompanied by directives to reduce energy consumption, have since been issued. On Friday morning, Eskom revealed that load shedding may be implemented between 16:00 and 22:00 should the system be unable to recover 2 600 MW of capacity. Eskom explained:

“The possibility that Eskom may be forced to implement load shedding has increased as the power system is severely constrained. Five generation units were taken off the grid, significantly raising the possible need for load shedding.

Should the need arise, load shedding could be implemented in order to protect the integrity of the system. If this is the case, there is a risk of load shedding between 16:00 and 22:00.”

Eskom added that generation units at Arnot, Kendal, Tutuka and Majuba power stations had been removed from the grid. Additionally, delays in repairs to Duvha power station have added further pressure to the power grid.

Eskom urged South Africans to reduce their electricity usage as a matter of urgency in order to lighten the load on the system.

De Ruyter promises only three days of winter load shedding

Eskom has struggled to contend with the reopening of the economy following the relaxation of Level 3 lockdown regulations. The power supplier, which was afforded a reprieve during heightened levels of lockdown, has been embattled by a dire combination of sudden over-demand and under-supply, complicated further by crumbling infrastructure.

During an annual State of the System announcement on 21 May, Eskom chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer and CEO Andre de Ruyter, painted a positive picture of the utility’s affairs; noting that projections predicted only three days of load shedding during the notoriously high-use winter months.

Oberholzer revealed that while short-term maintenance projects had been successfully implemented, the need for critical repairs remained.