Eskom increases rotational power cuts to stage 4
Eskom had to increase rotational power cuts to stage 4 without warning on Tuesday, spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha has announced. Mantshantsha said the change was implemented at 07:20 after Majuba Unit 5 and Tutuka Unit 4 tripped. Last night, Mantshantsha reported that the evening peak demand was 30,401 megawatts (MW) at 18:35, with 1,966 MW load
Eskom increases rotational power cuts to stage 4
Eskom had to increase rotational power cuts to stage 4 without warning on Tuesday, spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha has announced.
Mantshantsha said the change was implemented at 07:20 after Majuba Unit 5 and Tutuka Unit 4 tripped.
Last night, Mantshantsha reported that the evening peak demand was 30,401 megawatts (MW) at 18:35, with 1,966 MW load being shed.
Eskom used fourteen of its own open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) and four OCGTs from independent power producers.
Power from renewal sources amounted to 716MW — 312 MW wind, 390 MW concentrated solar, and 14 MW from photovoltaic solar plants.
Eskom’s available generating capacity during last night’s peak was 27,836 MW.
The power utility announced Stage 2 load-shedding on Easter Sunday, beginning at 17:00 and ending at 05:00 on Wednesday.
It is unclear whether this schedule remains in effect or if Eskom will extend load-shedding in addition to increasing the stage.
Eskom said it would release a full statement soon.
“The power system remains unpredictable, and Eskom would like to inform the public that any further deterioration in generation capacity may require higher stages of load-shedding,” Eskom warned.
“We, therefore, request the public to continue using electricity sparingly, as we strive to return units to service.”
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