The national power system will be tight on Monday evening and is expected to stay that way during peak hours for the rest of the week, Eskom said.<\/p>\n
“The capacity available to meet this evening’s peak demand is 35,191 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 35,244 MW,” the power utility said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Current planned maintenance stood at 2685 MW. Unplanned outages were 5250 MW.<\/p>\n
Eskom said the strain on the power system was because of the cold weather.<\/p>\n
Peak demand for the rest of the week was forecast at 34,824 MW on Tuesday, 34,768 MW on Wednesday, 34,896 MW on Thursday and 33,274 MW on Friday.<\/p>\n
On Saturday it would be 32,962 MW and Sunday 32,732 MW.<\/p>\n
Last week, a power emergency was declared for two consecutive days. By Friday it had stabilised.<\/p>\n
Eskom spokesman Andrew Etzinger said at the time that although the system would be strained this week there were no plans for power cuts.<\/p>\n
Eskom has asked consumers to use electricity sparingly, particularly between 5pm and 9pm.<\/p>\n
Eskom shrugs off rating downgrade<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Weather to test Eskom\u2019s resolve<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Power exceptionally tight: Eskom<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n