Stage 4 load shedding seems here to stay

THE latest round of load shedding is here and is likely to stay for a while.

It started on Friday but escalated to Stage 4 by yesterday, after a cyclone cut power production in Mozambique.

South Africa imports about 900MW of electricity from Mozambique and there is no indication when this supply will be restored.

Eskom’s own ageing power stations are adding to the woes. The newly built Medupi and Kusile power stations are “unreliable and inconsistent,” according to Eskom’s Andrew Etzinger, while the older generating units are prone to breakdowns.

Stage 4 is the highest level of load shedding and indicates that 4000MW of power have to be shed to ensure the grid does not collapse.

Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, held an urgent meeting with Eskom’s board yesterday following the implementation of Stage 4.

His spokesperson, Adrian Lackay, said: “The urgent meeting looked at the current power supply problems and specifically the recurrence of Stage 4 load shedding. Hopefully within a few days we will be able to announce a plan of action based on the consultation.”

It was of little comfort to business owners, including event organisers who had to scramble to adapt plans.

Denzil Maistry, director of the Mount Edgecombe Conference Centre, said even though he had a generator at his venue, load shedding was an inconvenience.

“We’ve had weddings delayed because there was no power. We had to calm down a bride because she was frustrated and panicking.

“Although we have a generator in place, it does not power up the air conditioning, which makes it uncomfortable on a blistering hot day. I am frustrated by the load shedding and yet the electricity bill remains high,” said Maistry.

Londiwe Ndwandwe-ngcobo, of Andimahle Events, said some of her events were also delayed as a result of power cuts.

“When load shedding occurs, there are delays as we try to set up generators. Often my employees have to stay longer and I have to pick up the cost,” said Ndwandwe-ngcobo.