No power cuts are expected on Thursday, following deliberate power cuts on Wednesday night, electricity giant, Eskom, has said.<\/p>\n
“There are no plans to implement load shedding, [but] if we pick up troubles like last night’s we might have to implement it again,” spokesman Andrew Etzinger said.<\/p>\n
He said the system was usually stable during the day.<\/p>\n
“The trouble is in the early evening.”<\/p>\n
Eskom said it deliberately cut power across the country on Wednesday night after two units at Duvha and Kendal power stations tripped and a portion of the capacity usually imported from Cahora Bassa became unavailable.<\/p>\n
“Due to unavailability of some of our generators, we are implementing load shedding for an hour,” said Etzinger on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
He said two units at Duvha and Kendal power stations had tripped and a portion of the capacity usually imported from Cahora Bassa became unavailable.<\/p>\n
“As a result, a reduction in electricity demand was required between 6pm and 8pm in order to balance the electricity system, which was implemented according to Eskom’s load shedding schedule.<\/p>\n
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience to affected customers.<\/p>\n
“We anticipate that the system will remain tight tomorrow [Thursday] evening between 5pm and 9pm, and once again appeal to all energy users to use electricity sparingly during this period.”<\/p>\n
He said that in an effort to avoid load shedding, all electricity users were urged to switch off non-essential appliances, pool pumps and geysers between 5pm and 9pm.<\/p>\n
“Commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, can make the biggest difference by switching off non-essential lights and not leaving office equipment such as photocopiers and computers in standby mode after hours,” he said.<\/p>\n
We have too much power: Eskom<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom execs forgo bonuses<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom issues load-shedding warning as cold weather sets in<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n