Power Alert 1: Public is Urged to Reduce Usage

Power Alert 1 Public is Urged to Reduce Electricity Consumption

Eskom urges the public to reduce the consumption of electricity as the power system is severely constrained due to the delay in returning units to service and the loss of multiple generation units.

While no load-shedding is currently being implemented, Eskom requests the public to reduce the consumption of electricity as any further losses of generation capacity would force the implementation of load-shedding at very short notice. The loss of multiple generators over the weekend, as well as the delay in returning some generation units to service, has made for a very constrained power system this afternoon.

Eskom is working on returning a generation unit each at Matimba, Duvha, and Arnot power stations to service before the evening peak.

Today a generation unit each at Arnot, Kendal, Matla, and Tutuka power stations have returned to service.

However, we will still be heavily reliant on emergency reserves to meet demand tonight. Emergency reserves are Healthy to assist in reducing the supply deficit.

We currently have 4533 MW on planned maintenance, while another 13601 MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns

Eskom would again like to remind the public that load-shedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We, therefore, request the public to continue using electricity sparingly to reduce the occurrence of load-shedding.