This week, Eskom will continue to implement load shedding owing to diesel supply difficulties that limit the availability of bulk fuel to the Ankerlig and Gourikwa Open Cycle Gas Turbines, which have a combined capacity of 2,000 MW.
In a statement released on Sunday, Eskom said that Stage 3 load shedding would continue until Thursday between 00:00 and 16:00, while Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented everyday during the evening peaks from 16:00 to 00:00.
“While we expect diesel deliveries from Tuesday onwards, should this uncertainty of supply persist, higher stages of load shedding may be required. While some generation units are anticipated to return to service, it is necessary to continue the load shedding to conserve emergency generation reserves,” Eskom said.
Each generating unit at the Camden and Kriel power plants has been offline since Friday for maintenance. Each of the Kriel and Kusile power stations had another producing unit restored to operation.
“Eskom apologises for the continued and unfortunate load shedding, which is implemented only as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns. We currently have 5 897MW on planned maintenance, while another 16 739MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns,” the power utility said.