Eskom rule out total system blackout
ESKOM said power cuts could be lifted by the weekend if generation units remained online and performed as expected.
This as stage 4 load shedding was reduced to stage 3 yesterday after six generating units were returned to service. Three more are expected to return to service today.
Eskom chief executive André de Ruyter, who has been widely criticised and labelled a “non-performer” following the latest round of rolling blackouts, took to the ground yesterday, visiting power stations.
During a briefing, De Ruyter said other executive team members were also conducting oversights at other power stations in efforts to address the obstacles hindering performance.
“The planned capacity outages stand at 5 787 megawatts (MW), the full load losses remain very high at 10 472MW, partial load losses are at 4 675MW and total unplanned outages sit at 15 147MW. This is an improvement compared to Tuesday, however we are still not near where we need to be.”
De Ruyter said the load forecast for yesterday evening was trending up due to cooler temperatures and based on performance of the system, they were expecting a number of large units to return today.
“If the units remain online and they perform as expected, then we should be able to consider lifting load shedding entirely by the start of the weekend.
“At this stage we can’t provide at what time on Friday this might happen due to having this unreliable and unpredictable generation system. Our reserves are also not doing too bad,” he explained.
In the morning, Eskom lost a unit at Majuba Power Station due to a boiler tube leak that forced it down, and another unit at Arnot Power Station, which tripped.
“We again wish to issue an apology to the country for the load shedding that we unavoidably have to impose in order to prevent the much greater inconvenience and risk of a total system blackout. I can give a commitment based on discussions with management and teams which understand the implications for the country and economy, and are working hard,” said De Ruyter.
He dismissed suggestions that the South African power grid was in immediate danger of a total system blackout.
“I would caution against fear-mongering and stoking of speculation and fear in this regard. We do have plans in place. We have the capability of recovering, and we do not anticipate this as a credible risk at this point in time.”
Eskom general manager Rhulani Mathebula added: “We are not particularly concerned about this risk, but it’s something that is always top of mind for the system operator to make sure that every second they are doing what is necessary to maintain balance in the system.”
Meanwhile, Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts is also expected to visit the Medupi and Kusile power stations to better understand the challenges at the facilities.