Eskom says it does not have sufficient power to meet consumers’ needs to keep the lights on every day this week. That’s until reduced demand is expected on Friday and the weekend.
Issuing a system status bulletin‚ Eskom said: “The electricity system remains significantly constrained today and for the rest of the week. The situation is expected to improve slightly later in the week going into the weekend”.
Eskom implemented stage 1 load shedding at 4pm today and then moved to stage 2 at 5pm‚ which will continue until 10pm. “This is due to the shortage of generating capacity as several units are currently out of service due to maintenance‚” the power utility said.
Trends in the supply and demand of power in South Africa for the week‚ Eskom said‚ was as follows:
Monday 18 May: The capacity available to meet this evening’s peak demand is 30 251 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 122 MW. Current planned maintenance stands at 5 419 MW. Unplanned outages are 5 125 MW.
Tuesday 19 May: The capacity available to meet tomorrow’s evening peak demand is 32 413 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 473 MW.
Wednesday 20 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 32 163 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 463 MW.
Thursday 21 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 32 738 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 565 MW.
Friday 22 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 33 501 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 31 968 MW.
Saturday 23 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 34 133 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 30 848 MW.
Sunday 24 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 33 986 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 31 005 MW.
Eskom’s top saving tips at home:
There is a golden rule that applies to saving electricity in the home: If you’re not using it‚ switch it off.
Geyser – it guzzles 39% of your monthly energy usage. Switch it off to reduce your energy demand. Don’t forget to insulate the geyser and water pipes.
Shower – it uses less water than bathing and using less hot water means less work for the geyser. Use an energy efficient shower head since it uses less water.
Lighting – replace all your incandescent bulbs with energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and switch off the lights in unoccupied rooms.
Standby electricity – don’t leave your TV‚ DVD player‚ etc. on stand-by mode‚ they still use up to 50% off their operating power. Rather switch them off at the power switch and don’t forget to unplug your cell phone charger after your phone has been charged or it will continue to draw power.
Refrigeration – close your fridge door quickly so it doesn’t use extra power to get back to its optimal cooling level.
Eskom highlights struggle to keep the lights on
Eskom says it does not have sufficient power to meet consumers’ needs to keep the lights on every day this week. That’s until reduced demand is expected on Friday and the weekend.
Issuing a system status bulletin‚ Eskom said: “The electricity system remains significantly constrained today and for the rest of the week. The situation is expected to improve slightly later in the week going into the weekend”.
Eskom implemented stage 1 load shedding at 4pm today and then moved to stage 2 at 5pm‚ which will continue until 10pm. “This is due to the shortage of generating capacity as several units are currently out of service due to maintenance‚” the power utility said.
Trends in the supply and demand of power in South Africa for the week‚ Eskom said‚ was as follows:
Monday 18 May: The capacity available to meet this evening’s peak demand is 30 251 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 122 MW. Current planned maintenance stands at 5 419 MW. Unplanned outages are 5 125 MW.
Tuesday 19 May: The capacity available to meet tomorrow’s evening peak demand is 32 413 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 473 MW.
Wednesday 20 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 32 163 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 463 MW.
Thursday 21 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 32 738 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 33 565 MW.
Friday 22 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 33 501 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 31 968 MW.
Saturday 23 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 34 133 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 30 848 MW.
Sunday 24 May: The capacity available to meet that evening’s peak demand is 33 986 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast 31 005 MW.
Eskom’s top saving tips at home:
There is a golden rule that applies to saving electricity in the home: If you’re not using it‚ switch it off.
Geyser – it guzzles 39% of your monthly energy usage. Switch it off to reduce your energy demand. Don’t forget to insulate the geyser and water pipes.
Shower – it uses less water than bathing and using less hot water means less work for the geyser. Use an energy efficient shower head since it uses less water.
Lighting – replace all your incandescent bulbs with energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and switch off the lights in unoccupied rooms.
Standby electricity – don’t leave your TV‚ DVD player‚ etc. on stand-by mode‚ they still use up to 50% off their operating power. Rather switch them off at the power switch and don’t forget to unplug your cell phone charger after your phone has been charged or it will continue to draw power.
Refrigeration – close your fridge door quickly so it doesn’t use extra power to get back to its optimal cooling level.
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