Eskom moves into stage two load shedding

Due to a shortage of generation capacity, Eskom has moved to stage two load shedding.

“We moved to stage two in order to manage our reserves at our pump storage schemes and gas turbines so that we can better manage the rest of the week,” said Eskom Acting Chief Executive Dan Marokane on Tuesday.

Stage two load shedding began at 11.30am and is set to continue until 10pm.

Earlier today, the power utility implemented stage one load shedding following yesterday’s load shedding.

Stage one load shedding allows for up to 1 000MW to be shed off the grid, while stage two allows for up to 2 000MW to be shed. Stage three of load shedding allows for up to 4 000MW to be shed.

“At our pumped storage schemes (which use water to generate electricity), the dam levels are low because we were not able to pump the water back to full capacity over the weekend.

“This is a result of us having to use our pumped storage schemes over the weekend to meet demand. Ordinarily, the weekends are used to pump our dam levels to maximum capacity in preparation for the forecasted increased demand in electricity during the week,” said the utility.

The power grid is extremely constrained and will remain so for the rest of the summer.

Eskom has urged consumers to switch off geysers, air conditioners, pool pumps and all non-essential appliances throughout the day to reduce electricity demand.

Customers are advised to check load shedding schedules, which are available on the Eskom website (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za). They can also contact the customer call centre on 0860 037 566. Municipal customers are urged to contact their local authorities.

Source: SAnews.gov.za