By: Natasha Archary

In his weekly grid update, Electricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramakgopa said warmer temperatures are causing partial grid losses, causing a further loss of 6 000MW.
The Minister said that Matimba power station is most affected but is optimistic that four generating units at Kusile will be back up and running by the end of the year.
Ramakgopa said that the return of on generating unit on Sunday, 17 September was instrumental in loadshedding being reduced from Stage 6 to between Stages 2 and 4.
“The other area of attention is partial load losses, essentially the units are not necessarily failing but the units are not giving us the amount of megawatts that they should be giving, relative to their design capacity.
This is a function of a number of factors, and we know when we enter the summer period, it could be a function of ambient temperature, the more hot it gets, the more difficult it is for these units to perform.
Matimba is a prime candidate of partial load losses that are likely going to increase as we go into the extremely hot periods of the year, but its something that is receiving attention, to ensure that we don’t fall into another situation.”
Ramakgopa reiterated that the return of generating units at Kusile will significantly improve the power crisis in the country, and says Unit 4 is back online after being put on planned maintenance.
“We are pleased to announce that unit 4 of Kusile Power Station that was put on planned maintenance has been brought back online this morning.
We committed that unit 4 should come back on September 17, which is today, and I’m happy to say to the country that unit 4 is back.
This milestone means generating capacity will be ramped up by 800MW into the grid, resulting in the reduction of one stage of load shedding.”
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa during his weekly grid update
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