Eskom announced on Friday afternoon that the Stage 4 load shedding it implemented in the early hours of the morning will continue until further notice
“Changes in the stages of load shedding will be more erratic due to the absence of the buffer that is normally provided by the diesel generation capacity between generating unit breakdowns,” the power utility said.
Since Friday morning a generating unit each at Kendal and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs. There have also been delays in returning to service a unit each at Arnot, Grootvlei, Hendrina and Tutuka power stations .
There is 4 887MW out on planned maintenance, while another 15 320MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns
Eskom implemented Stage 4 load shedding in the early hours of Friday morning.
“Stage 4 load shedding was implemented at 05:26 this morning until further notice,” spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said.
“Breakdowns amounting to 17 056MW of generation capacity, low pumped storage dam levels and lack of diesel are the reasons for the increase in load shedding.”
Eskom said on Tuesday it has burned over R12 billion worth of diesel over the course of the year – double what it initially budgeted – trying to keep the country’s light’s on.
The utility, which is waiting for more details on government’s plan to take on a significant portion of its R400 billion debt, says that it is now financially untenable to burn more diesel at its Open Cycle Gas Turbines.
SA municipalities currently owe Eskom around R52 billion.
“We will be forced to implement load shedding because we don’t have the money to burn diesel,” COO Jan Oberholzer said at Eskom’s state of the system briefing.
He said those municipalities that owed Eskom needed to consider their role in causing more load shedding.
Load shedding has hit a record 159 days thus far. The utility’s forecast for the rest of summer and winter next year predict even more load shedding and diesel spend.
Eskom is still pushing ahead with its maintenance plans for power plants, and says 55% of problems with its coal fleet can be attributed to six stations – Tutuka, Duvha, Majuba, Kusile, Matla and Kendal.
There are expectations from government and Eskom’s new chair Mpho Makwana for the utility to hit a 75% energy availability factor soon.
Eskom said at Tuesday’s briefing that it aiming for 65% for next year.
“Where we find ourselves now, it looks like a steep hill … However, we need additional capacity, in order for generation colleagues to properly maintain their plants,” Oberholzer said.
“We will do whatever is necessary to turn this around and supply electricity to the country. We have accepted this challenge.”
Business24
