Power utility, Eskom, has given the nation assurance to resolve the return of stage 3 load shedding.
Eskom Management alongside Electricity and Energy Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, provided an update following the announcement of implementation of rolling blackouts on Friday.
CEO Dan Marokane stated that their main challenge is the maintenance of generation units not returning on planned dates, hence causing what he termed as ‘slippage’
He however confirmed that some units have started to return to service.
“We are now sitting at about 4500MW of unplanned losses and expect another 750MW of capacity to return on Sunday and the final 2800MW on Monday morning,” said Marokane.
The utility still insists that the occurrence of these power trips is a “short term pain for long term gain.”
In addition, Marokane added that the maintenance would intensify towards the end of March into April, to ensure a sustainable supply of electricity in the winter season.
He also guaranteed that the entity’s operational plans are suitable to withstand adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Ramokgopa has apologised to the nation for what he described as “an unacceptable setback faced by Eskom.”
Without delving too much into details and clarifying, Ramokgopa hinted that the loss of units is not all due to technical challenges but continued to say the matter is being discussed internally and will be communicated to the public should the need arise.
“I will not sit back and watch, something must give.
It’s important that, where there are missteps, we are able to correct them, and where there has to be casualties, there will be casualties,” warned Ramokgopa.
Eskom said the blackouts will last until 5am on Monday.
