Load shedding sparks concerns over energy reliability

Energy experts have raised concern about the reliability of Eskom’s energy supply after the power utility unexpectedly implemented load shedding on Wednesday night following the loss of five generation units. This announcement marked Eskom’s fourth load shedding declaration this year, leading to significant disruption during peak energy demand hours. Prof Vally Padayachee, energy expert and former Eskom generation executive manager, said that Eskom had, prior to the last four load shedding declarations, made reasonable progress in their generation recovery efforts. “However, it faced on Wednesday the loss of five generation units before the evening period. The loss of five generating units before and during this Wednesday evening peak period necessitated the implementation of Stage 2 load shedding for 10-and-a-half hours overnight,” he said. Padayachee added that this seemed to be…