Load shedding was reintroduced in early November 2014. The Majuba power plant lost it capacity to generate power after the collapse of one of it’s coal storage silos on 1 November 2014. The Majuba power plant delivered approximately 10% of South Africa’s entire capacity and the collapse halted the delivery of coal to the plant. A second Silo developed a major crack on 20 November causing the shut down of the plant again. This after temporary measures were instated to deliver coal to the plant.
On 5 December Eskom started major stage three load shedding in South Africa after the shut down of two power plants on Thusday 4 December 2014 due to diesel shortages. It was also reported that the Palmiet and Drakenburg are also experiencing difficulties due to a depletion of water reserve to the Hydro plants. Stage three is the highest degree of planned load shedding published. Eskom admits that they also have a Stage 4 contingency plan available.
On Thusday 4 November, Eskom fell 4 000MW short of the electricity countries demand of 28 000MW. The power utility has the ability to produce 45 583MW but could only supply 24 000MW due to “planned and unplanned” maintenance. One turbine at Eskom’s Duvha Power Station is currently also still out of commission due to a “unexplained incident” in March 2014.
The power crisis that has South Africans ringing their hands in frustration – has now escalated. Large parts of the country are without power right now.
The power utility, saying that he electricity system is severely constrained, has embarked on stage 3 load shedding which is a much deeper form of load shedding affecting many areas at a time.
The power utility says it’s run out of money to buy diesel and has turned to the government for help. All this comes as the country looks set to be downgraded by Fitch Ratings Agency next week due to the poor state of government finances.
Eskom spokesperson, Andrew Etzinger was interviewed on SABC around the ‘crisis’ – below are some takeaways from that interview with editorial comment in italics:
“We are hoping not to go to Stage 4” ~ Just like we are hoping to have only one day without load shedding.
“90% of the country’s load is being met” ~ Poppycock Andrew – on 4 December Eskom could only supply 24 000 Megawatts which is 4 000 Megawatts short of SA’s then demand of 28 000 Megawatts AND my calculators says that you were then only meeting 85.71% of the load.
“Stage 3 is to make up for a deficit of between 2 and 3000 megawatts.” ~ So we were in a Stage 4 crisis on 4 December and we didn’t even know it!
“If we need to implement Stage 4 to protect the grid then we will do so” ~ Haven’t you already?
“We’ll make sure that we don’t plunge the country into a total blackout” ~ Many will NOT believe you.
“There are times when we get it wrong” ~ Most times you continue to get it wrong.
“In the main the loadshedding has been done in a very precise way” ~ That is like justifying murder by saying that you killed someone in a humane way!
“We wont risk a blackout” ~ Should we believe you?
“If we don’t manage the risk properly then there will be a blackouts” ~ Are you threatening us with a blackout now, Andrew?
“For the next two to three years we will be constrained” ~ Didn’t you say that in 2006 when the ‘loose bolt’ in the generator of Koeberg’s unit plunged the Western Cape into a power crisis?
“Once the new power stations come online then the situation will change” ~ Duh – state the obvious and maybe it will sound like news!
“We work to a policy as per NERSA” ~ Then obviously NERSA’s policy is flawed or NERSA has no teeth!
“The entire executive committee are on the job” ~ Send us images of them shovelling coal and fixing cracks, NOT just talking about it!
Time to install Solar Power methinks.
Alan Straton
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These shortfall numbers are seriously, seriously bad. A safe utility operating margin sees at least +8% of installed capacity available as excess for emergency situations and brownouts. ESKOM is reporting a -15% supply to demand reality. For all intents and purposes ESKOM is on the ropes and SA cannot function at that level for any significant period without permanent damage to the economy. A credit agency downgrade is the least of the country’s worries: how to keep GDP and gov’t debt in positive territory is a far bigger concern.
Etzinger is also quoted as saying; “…as much as 7% of the country’s electricity is stolen via illegal
connections. We desperately need that revenue…we cannot afford it
anymore.”
One can hardly blame people from stealing from the government (represented by Eskom/SABC/SARS or other parastatals) when the perception is that the people we look up to for guidance are also perceived to be robbers and rubbish!