On Tuesday 19 April, Eskom released a media briefing in which chief executive André de Ruyter explained “Eskom had to regrettably implement a stage 4 loadshedding due to a significant shortfall in generation capacity which we were unable to recover over the weekend.” However, he has assured the public that Eskom does not see the need for loadshedding to be increased to stage 6 within this week.
No loadshedding for the weekend
According to de Ruyter, today’s losses are sitting at 15 147 megawatts showing a recovery of about 900 megawatts. So, “We have a chance of reducing loadshedding tomorrow to stage three”. However, this will depend on the performance of the system over the next few hours.
Furthermore, de Rutyer adds that Eskom is expecting a large number of units to return during the course of tomorrow. Provided those units perform as expected “we should be able to consider lifting loadshedding entirely by the start of the weekend.”
However, de Ruyter does “project a note of caution”. He states that due to the unreliable generation of the system Eskom cannot guarantee if and when the suspension of loadshedding will take place.
Stage 6 loadshedding unlikely despite further losses
Eskom faced the loss of the large unit that is Majuba Two this morning, due to “a boiler tube leak which forced the unit down”. Additionally, the Barnard Two station experienced a trip earlier today. However, along with some other notable units, Eskom was able to return Lathabo Three to service early this morning. Adding a major contribution to service.
Eskom apologises
In the media briefing this morning, 20 April, de Ruyter reiterates that Eskom apologises to the country. He also reminds us that it is required in order to evade the much greater inconvenience of a total blackout.
“We are putting in every effort we can to reduce loadshedding as soon as we can.”
Eskom chief executive André de Ruyter
He adds “Our teams are really engaged and motivated. They understand what the implications are for the country, for the economy and they are working hard to bring those units back.”