KIMBERLEY residents are set for a bleak weekend of no power and no water after Eskom announced that it will implement Stage 2 load shedding starting at midday on Friday, with a warning that the constrained supply situation could persist throughout the weekend.
A 24-hour water interruption from Saturday is also on the cards.
Eskom announced on Friday morning that due to the increase in generation unit breakdowns, it would implement Stage 2 load shedding, starting at midday on Friday. “This will continue until 10pm.”
According to Edkom, the load shedding has been caused by an increase in plant breakdowns exceeding 3 000MW of capacity.
Eskom stated that it was working hard to return these generation units to service.
“While five generation units were taken off the grid last night (Thursday) and this morning (Friday), a breakdown at the Matimba power station has today resulted in the need for load shedding. Two units at the Arnot power station, as well as a unit each at Kendal, Tutuka and Majuba were taken off the grid last night and this morning.
“These removed more than 3 000MW of capacity from the system. The delayed return to service of a generation unit at the Duvha power station has also added significant pressure to the generation system.”
The power utility urged the public to continue reducing electricity usage to help minimise load shedding.
“This constrained supply situation may persist throughout the weekend.
“We also request the public to reduce electricity usage between 4pm and 10pm in order to assist us in limiting the incidence of load shedding. Over the past two evenings the help of the public assisted us in avoiding the need for load shedding. With your help Eskom can again recover from this much quicker.”
Meanwhile, the Sol Plaatje Municipality also reminded residents on Friday of the planned 24-hour water interruption scheduled for this weekend.
The interruption is as a result of the installation of two new valves at the Riverton Water Purification Works. Once completed, the work will allow both the 600mm and the 965mm bulk water lines to be isolated from each other and to be able to operate independently after installation.
The water will be turned off at the Newton Reservoir at 10am on Saturday morning and work on the installation of the two valves is expected to start immediately. It is expected that the installation will be completed at 10pm on Saturday and pumping from Riverton to Kimberley will commence at midnight. According to the schedule, Newton will be switched on at 10am on Sunday morning and it is expected that by 2pm on Sunday water to all areas in the city will be restored.
Residents are encouraged to make their own provision for water. The Sol Plaatje Municipality has, however, stated that JoJo tanks in informal settlements will be filled prior to the shutdown.
