Eskom warns of possible load shedding in coming days

Generating unit breakdowns amounting to 14 925 MW could see Eskom implementing load shedding in parts of the country in the next few days, the state-owned power utility warned in a statement on Thursday.

Eskom, which has not instituted power cuts in over two months asked the public to use electricity sparingly as the unit breakdowns have placed its power systems are under severe stain. The power utility said it will tap into emergency generation reserves to try to avoid blackouts.

Read:

Load shedding on track for worst year ever

Why load shedding is set to continue for the next five years

“Total breakdowns amount to 14 925MW while planned maintenance is 4 759MW of capacity. Should there be any further breakdowns, Eskom might be forced to implement load shedding at short notice,” Eskom said.

“While Eskom expects a number of generating units to return to service from breakdowns during the course of the next few days, we urge the public to reduce the usage and to continue using electricity sparingly to assist in avoiding load shedding” the power utility added.

Read the full Eskom statement here.