Eskom Intensifies Load Shedding to Replenish Critical Emergency Reserves

Eskom is intensifying load shedding to replenish emergency reserves, according to Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. According to SANews, stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Monday to address the loss of over 2,700 megawatts due to a cluster of unit failures nationwide. The Minister emphasised the significance of the return of Units 1 and 3 in Kusile Power Station, which has eased the intensity of load shedding. However, he stressed the need for Units 2 and 5 to return to create an additional buffer. The failure of generating units has led to the burning of diesel and open-cycle gas turbines, depleting emergency reserves. Eskom did not anticipate the extent of the current breakdown, and the Minister expressed confidence in the return of five units by tonight, including those from Duvha, Majuba, and Lethabo power stations.

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Ramokgopa announced the successful synchronisation of Unit 1 at Koeberg Power Station on Saturday after almost a year, marking the most prolonged outage in the station’s history. Unit 2 will be taken offline for steam generator replacement once Unit 1 is considered stable, expecting to return to service on time. However, the Minister acknowledged the need for more confidence based on the experience of Unit 1, and discussions with management are ongoing. The government is reportedly expediting policy issues to provide certainty on South Africa’s energy mix, transmission intervention, and additional generation capacity, expected by the end of December this year.

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Picture: X / 00Dezz

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