Eskom has announced that sections of Gauteng will face an electricity interruption on Friday, 25 April, to allow for urgent maintenance work on the distribution network.
Vosloorus and the surrounding areas will be affected by the power outage
Customers in Vosloorus Ext 6, 10, 22, and 30 should prepare for a power outage from 9:00 to 18:00.
“The interruption in electricity supply is necessary to perform essential maintenance on our distribution power lines,” Eskom explained.
Meanwhile, Bluegum, Duduza, Masechaba, and Tsakane Ext 17 residents will experience a shorter outage from 9:00 to 17:00.
Eskom has urged all customers to exercise caution.
“In the interest of safety, customers are advised to treat all electrical appliances as live at all times during the power supply outage,” the utility stated.
Eskom also extended its gratitude, saying, “We would like to thank you for your cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused by this maintenance.”
Maintenance Aims to Boost System Reliability
While the maintenance efforts temporarily disrupt supply, they form part of Eskom’s broader strategy to strengthen infrastructure ahead of the winter peak. Planned maintenance accounts for 15.41% of generation capacity, representing a 3.8% increase compared to last year. Eskom highlighted that 8 974MW of capacity is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance to enhance “fleet reliability for the anticipated increased peak winter demand” and to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Despite the maintenance activities, Eskom confirmed that loadshedding remains suspended.
“The power system remains stable with sufficient capacity to meet the long weekend’s demand,” Eskom said, assuring customers that emergency reserves are adequate and will be deployed strategically if necessary.
Decline in Diesel Dependence
In a positive development, Eskom reported a sharp decline in its reliance on diesel-powered Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGT). The OCGT load factor dropped to 9.78% during the past week, a significant improvement from 29.95% recorded earlier this month.
“This reduction highlights a growing shift away from reliance on diesel,” Eskom noted, while also pointing out that the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) has improved to 27.48%, down from 30.15% in the same period last year.
As Gauteng braces for Friday’s planned outages, Eskom cautions that unexpected events could still cause changes to the maintenance schedule.
Do you think Eskom is doing enough to ensure fewer unplanned outages in the coming winter months?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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