ESKOM LIVE | Eskom warns of Stage 2 loadshedding during peak evening hours this week | Fin24
After three days without load shedding, Eskom warned that Stage 2 load shedding might be implemented at short notice from 16:00 to 24:00, the peak evening hours, over the course of the week. The breakdown of two generation units at Arnot, one each at Camden and Lethabo power stations during the past 24 hours and the delay in returning a generating unit to service each at Kendal, Komati and two units at Tutuka power stations have put a severe strain on the power generation system.
"Unit 2 of the Koeberg nuclear power station was safely shut down in accordance with operating procedures [on Friday] morning. During routine testing of the control rod mechanism on the unit, one of the control rods developed a mechanical problem. Eskom is currently have 4 526MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 574MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented at 16:00 to 24:00 on Wednesday and at the same time on Thursday, Eskom announced.
"There is also a high probability that load shedding will require to be implemented during the same time on both Wednesday and Thursday evenings," the power utility said. Eskom said it had 4 508MW on planned maintenance, while another 13 622MW of capacity was unavailable due to breakdowns. The delay in returning two generation units at Arnot, a unit each at Kusile and Hendrina power stations has exacerbated the electricity generation constraints.
Eskom currently has 4 116MW on planned maintenance, while another 12 437MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented until midnight on Friday and again during the evening peak from 16:00 until 24:00 on both Saturday and Sunday, Eskom said on Friday afternoon.
This is due to a delay in returning a generation unit to service each at Arnot, Kusile and the Koeberg power stations, as well as the failure of a generation unit each at Medupi, Hendrina, Camden, and two units at Majuba. Government's two main objectives is to improve the performance of Eskom's power stations, while adding as much new generation capacity to the grid as possible.
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