Eskom warns of weekend load shedding as cold weather and breakdowns hit
Eskom warned Friday (19 August) that while load shedding has been suspended, its generation system remains constrained, and blackouts at stage 2 “might be implemented at short notice tonight and during the evening peaks over the weekend”.
Eskom again blamed a shortage in generation capcity as a result of breakdowns and delays in returning some generating units to service.
“The cold front expected during the weekend is also anticipated to result in increased demand for electricity, adding to capacity constraints,” it said. Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station was safely shut down in accordance with operating procedures on Friday, the power utility said.
“During the routine testing of the control rod mechanism on the unit, one of the control rods developed a mechanical problem,” it said.
As a result, the unit has been shut down. Eskom said it has not yet been determined how long the repairs will take, but it could take up to five days, whereafter the unit will ramp up over three days.
The group said that additional breakdowns at two generation units at Hendrina Power Station has put severe strain on the system
Eskom said it currently has 4,526 MW on planned maintenance, while an additional 14,574 MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
While loadshedding has been suspended, Eskom cautions the public that the generation system
remains constrained and Stage 2 loadshedding might be implemented at short notice tonight and during the evening peaks over the weekend pic.twitter.com/L79396ZkEc— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) August 19, 2022
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