Stage 2 Load Shedding Resumes Again, in South Africa

Due to significant generating capacity restrictions caused by the breakdown of nine generators, Eskom, South Africa’s main power supplier, has resumed Stage 2 load shedding from 17:00 on Tuesday afternoon until next week Monday, May 9.

“This load shedding has been caused by a shortfall of generating capacity due to delays in restoring generators to service, as well as the failures of nine generators,” the company noted.

Since Monday, a generator at each of the Lethabo, Tutuka, Ingula, Drakensberg, and Arnot power stations, as well as two units apiece at Hendrina and Matla power stations, have failed, according to the ailing state-owned firm.

Eskom further noted that the delay in returning generators to service at Arnot, Kendal and three units at Tutuka power stations is adding further strain to the grid.

“Eskom expects to return as many of these units to service as possible over the next few days. We also expect to rely on the use of emergency generating reserves to limit the stage of load shedding during this period.”

The utility currently has 3 875 megawatts (MW) of capacity out on planned maintenance, while a further 15 067MW of capacity has been lost due to breakdowns.

In mid-April, Eskom warned consumers that a cold and dark winter may lie ahead, saying that in the best case scenario consumers can expect 37 days of load shedding this winter and in the worst case scenario, more than a 100 days, as wet weather continues to pose a threat to the country’s power supply.