Eskom announced that Stage 2 load shedding will continue on Wednesday, September 2 as several power stations are under severe pressure.
“Ten generation units at seven power stations suffered breakdowns in the past two days. With the unreliable and aged generation infrastructure, together with a number of risks on running units, there is a high probability that additional stages of load shedding may be implemented at short notice.
Eskom said that infrastructure breakdowns at a host of their primary power supplying stations is to blame for the latest frustrating implementation of load shedding.
“A generator each broke down at Arnot, Medusa, Lethabo, and Matla power stations, while two units each a Majuba, Camden and Tutuka power station also broke down,” they said.
“This, together with the need to conserve emergency generation reserves, necessitated that load shedding be implemented in order to protect the integrity of the system.” They said that unplanned breakdowns amount to 11 425 MW of capacity, adding to the 4 983 MW currently out on planned maintenance.
“We urge the people of South Africa to help reduce electricity usage in order to assist Eskom to reduce the instance of load shedding,” the power supplier concluded.
