Stage 2 load shedding is set to continue into Thursday, but Eskom predicts rolling blackouts will inconvenience South Africans for the next 18 months as it works on improving its maintenance programme.
Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter said there would be more scheduled power cuts to come as they work to restore the system to optimal function.
He said this was not a decision made lightly, but
something that could not be avoided given the current state of the energy system.
Stage 2 “rotational load shedding” was due to system constraints and the need to replenish emergency reserves at open-cycle gas turbines and pumped storage schemes, Eskom said.
“Good progress has been made in replenishing these reserves (water and diesel), which are necessary to limit the possibility and magnitude of load shedding in the week ahead.
“Our teams are working hard to reduce unplanned outages or breakdowns, which were at 12 080MW at 7am (yesterday).
“We will continue to monitor the system closely and will give periodic updates on the status of the power
system as things may change at short notice,” Eskom said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Eskom put out an expression of interest (EoI) for parties interested in the development, manufacturing and construction of small modular reactors and Triso (Tri-structural isotropic) particle fuel for various reactor designs.
While they looked at commercialising the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) in the past, Eskom now intends to dispose of the state-owned company, providing the market with “unrestricted options to pursue”.
As outlined in the EoI: “The company seeks to take PBMR out of care and maintenance and commercialise the business.
“Companies interested in investing in PBMR reactor technology or fuel technology, securing an equity stake in PBMR, buying PBMR technology, or embarking on other potential relationships or transactions, are invited to submit an expression of interest detailing proposals.”
They said the EoI was strictly for market research.
Interested parties can respond by February 28.