Following on from the bad news that most South African’s can expect loadshedding during the week, Eskom revealed this morning that today (Tuesday) is looking no better.

Load shedding prognosis medium to high this morning, with a higher probability of load shedding this evening due to a shortage of capacity.

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) February 10, 2015

Please note that any unexpected changes on an already constrained power system could result in load shedding.

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) February 10, 2015

Yesterday the power utility’s spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe told Jacaranda FM’s news team that the company is already running their emergency diesel generators to meet the demand. “The system will continue to be under severe pressure over the coming week, so the risk of load shedding remains high,” Eskom said yesterday.

To make matters worse, energy specialist Chris Yelland estimates that the human error that caused Koeberg power station’s Unit 1 to be shut down a week ago, cost the economy at least R7.5 billion.

The error forced Eskom to make use of diesel generators at a loss of R250 million, and according to Yelland, “Phase 1 loadshedding costs the national economy about R20bn per month, Phase 2 about R40bn and Phase 3 some R80bn.”

Unit 1 is only expected to return to operations in May.

“There is a shortage of generation capacity due to units that are currently out of service due to planned and unplanned maintenance. Koeberg power station’s Unit 1 will be shut down from tomorrow (Monday) for a scheduled refuelling, inspection and maintenance outage. The unit is expected to return back to service at the end of May,” Eskom said yesterday.

[Image – CC by 2.0/Lauren Rushing]