A number of customers in the Western Cape and other parts of the country were without electricity on 8 June due to Eskom having to implement controlled load shedding in the Western Cape and parts of the country as a result of under frequency on the transmission system. The under frequency on the transmission system was caused by an unplanned manual shutdown of Koeberg unit one.

A series of alternative energy supply measures were applied and implemented, utilising all available interruptible contracts; emergency generation; and demand market participation before load shedding was considered. Load shedding was truly a measure of last resort.

Whilst load in other parts of the country was restored within an hour, parts of the Western Cape were without electricity for approximately two and half hours.

Koeberg unit 1 was manually shut down by the operators at approximately 18:00. A problem developed in one of the electrical supply boards at the station. In accordance with operating procedures the operators immediately manually shut down the reactor, with the result that the unit stopped generating and supplying electricity into the national transmission network.

The reactor is being maintained in a safe and stable condition. The problem with the electrical supply board is currently under investigation and at this stage it is not known when the unit will be re-started.

"The unavailability of Koeberg will result in scheduled load shedding in the Western Cape. We expect to load shed in the Orange Scenario from 06:00 on Friday, 9 June 2006. The Orange schedule is available on the Eskom website or consumers can contact the Eskom share call number on 08600 37566. Customers of the City of Cape Town should contact the City's Call Centre regarding load shedding information on 0860 125 008.

Says Jacob Maroga, Eskom's Transmission MD. "We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers during the load shedding, and most particularly because of the discomfort of having no electricity supply during these cold weather conditions."

The immediate intervention that will help to minimise load shedding is for consumers to use electricity more efficiently.

"In this regard we have been encouraging the public, through extensive awareness and educational campaigns at a national level, to switch off electrical appliances when they are not essential or; to install compact fluorescent lights and to install geyser blankets, amongst others. "

"We acknowledge and value the enormous contribution from business and residential communities to date to conserve energy, and encourage their continued support and participation," concluded Maroga.

For further information please contact:
Fani Zulu
Eskom Spokesperson
Tel: 011 800-2265
Mobile: 082 451 0457

Tony Stott
Eskom Spokesperson
Tel: 011 800-2004
Mobile: 083 655 2004