‘Here we go again’: Experts rage following news of Stage 2 load shedding
Power cuts have become all too familiar for Mzansi and this week was no different. Power utility Eskom said it would implement Stage 2 load shedding on Tuesday 9 February 2021 in order to replenish emergency generation reserves and the energy experts are having none of it.
Just a few days ago — Friday to be exact — Eskom said it would implement load shedding over the weekend which was not the news anyone was looking for on a Friday but nevertheless, we endured. This week, the grid still remains vulnerable.
ENERGY EXPERTS REACT
Energy Analyst Ted Blom took to Twitter shortly after Eskom’s announcement on Tuesday saying: “Here we go again!”.
Energy Analyst Chris Yelland told The South African that more of Stage 2 load shedding comes as no surprise. He said SA can expect intermittent load shedding for years to come because the demand cannot be met. He said new capacity is coming on too slowly.
“We have a crisis but we’re not responding with the necessary urgency,” said Yelland.
When asked what could be done to manage the situation better, he said customers should start looking at self-generation. Other than that, he said it’s the “same old, same old stuff”.
Yelland told SABC News something similar on Friday.
“We can expect this intermittent load shedding to be on and off for the next two years, that’s what we’ve been told loud and clear. If it’s not wet coal, it’s hot weather, if it’s not hot weather, it’s rainy weather, windy weather, wet coal, dry coal, you name it. It’s all a matter of excuses but bottom line is that we have a power system that is not showing the necessary resilience, it’s completely abnormal,” he said.
STAGE 2 LOAD SHEDDING
According to the embattled power utility, Stage 2 load shedding would be implemented from 22:00 on Tuesday night until 5:00 in the morning on Wednesday.
“This load shedding is necessary in order to preserve and replenish the emergency generation reserves and to maximise the capacity available during the daytime hours,” it said in a statement.
Eskom said the power generation system is still severely constrained due to high generation unit breakdowns during the past two days, as well as the delayed return to service of some units out on planned maintenance.
“We currently have 4 858MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 375MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays. Eskom expects some of these generation units to return to service from tomorrow [Wednesday], and will continuously assess the situation,” it said.
THE RISK REMAINS ELEVATED
After weeks of blackouts and power cuts, the power utility said the risk of load shedding still remains. Eskom said it continues to implement reliability maintenance during this period, and as such, the system will continue to be constrained, with the risk of Stage 2 or any level of load shedding remaining elevated.
“Eskom requests the public to continue using electricity sparingly as the system remains vulnerable and unpredictable, and we will communicate timeously should there be any significant changes to the power system,” it added.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Mbuyiseni Ndlozi took to Twitter shortly after Eskom’s announcement to air his dissatisfaction;
“Load shedding has become a permanent feature of South African life… SOEs are falling apart left, right & centre. Yet, Jamnandas is still in cabinet. Mkhize has demonstrated the most dangerous incompetence with regards to the pandemic. Why the hell are they still ministers?”
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