De Ruyter: No choice but to implement load shedding
Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter says the power utility had no alternative but to implement load shedding for the first time this year.
On Wednesday, South Africans woke up to the news that Eskom would implement stage 2 rolling blackouts due to a loss of generating capacity.
The rolling blackouts are set to continue until 5am on Monday.
"A total of 13 461 MW capacity that is unavailable due to unplanned outages,” De Ruyter said on Monday.
“We obviously regret this, we are working hard on having units back as quickly as possible. We are hoping to reduce the extent of load shedding as much as we can but in this instance we had no alternative but to implement this decision."
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The power utility's woes have been compounded by a trip at both the Kusile and the Kendal power stations.
Further delays in returning units have been cited at Kusile, Tutuka, Duvha, Lethabo and Grootvlei.
Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer says there is a possibility that the grid will improve, which may result in the power cuts being lifted.
"It may be that the system will improve and the breakdowns will not be where we are currently and the way we find it leading up to now.
"There is a possibility that we may lift it but it will depend on a successful return to service of the units as well as whatever breakdowns. "
