By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Stage 2 load shedding will continue to be implemented from 16:00 until 05:00 and then suspended from 05:00 until 16:00 over the weekend, Eskom confirmed.
This pattern will be repeated daily until further notice.
Eskom said that it has been able to keep breakdowns below 13,384 MW whilst generating capacity out for planned maintenance currently sits at 6,510 MW.
Breakdowns are currently below Eskom’s target to keep unplanned outages below 15,400 MW, as per its summer plan. Eskom said that keeping breakdowns below this threshold would lead to a maximum level of load shedding of stage 4.
In addition, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said that increased planned maintenance is keeping breakdowns to a minimum.
“There’s a correlation between planned maintenance and the rate of failures of the units. The team is seeing when they return the units; these units remain on load for longer periods… their efficiency and reliability are improving,” Ramokgopa said at a media briefing earlier this week.
For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.
Smartphone users can also download the app EskomSePush to receive push notifications when load shedding is implemented, as well as the times the area you are in will be off.
Meanwhile President Cyril Ramaphosa says the granting of a postponement for Kusile Power Station to operate without sulphur dioxide pollution control technology does not deviate from the country’s firm affirmation to contribute to the global climate change efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
Ramaphosa said this while answering oral questions in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.
“The granting of a postponement for Kusile Power Station to operate without sulphur dioxide pollution control technology was necessary as a temporary measure to enable the return to service of three units damaged in October last year.
“The granting of this postponement does not deviate from the country’s firm affirmation to contribute to the global climate change efforts in reducing greenhouse gases.
“As a country, we are committed to a just transition to a low-carbon economy at a pace and scale that is affordable to us,” the President said.
The President told the House that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change recognises this need for a just transition and has allowed countries to nationally determine their contribution to a global effort to decarbonisation.
“South Africa submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution to the UN in 2021 and as I have indicated previously, we remain firmly committed to achieving our target range for emission reduction. Data from our recent greenhouse gas inventory indicates that we are on track to do so.
“As part of the granting of the once-off postponement, Eskom must undertake measures to mitigate against the exposure of its employees and surrounding communities to harmful emissions. These measures must, at a minimum, include independent health screenings and referral to appropriate public health facilities for treatment where necessary, “the President said.
He said the end of load shedding and the achievement of energy security for all South Africans is not incompatible with the pursuit of the country’s emission reduction goals.
Ramaphosa emphasised that the massive investment that is currently underway in renewable energy sources, alongside the stabilisation and improvement of our existing generation fleet, will help the country to achieve both of these goals simultaneously.