Eskom, which earlier warned it was constrained, has announced that it will be implementing load-shedding from Tuesday at 4 pm.
“Eskom regrets that due to a shortage of generation capacity Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented from 4 pm [today] to 5 am tomorrow,” said the power utility in a statement.
“This afternoon a generation unit at Kusile Power Station tripped, adding to the constraints. A unit each at Matimba and Arnot power stations failed to return to service as previously anticipated.”
Eskom said these “constraints” were expected to persist for the rest of the week, which may require load-shedding to be extended.
“We are currently utilising emergency generation reserves extensively to supplement supply,” said the power utility.
The total loss of capacity due to breakdowns amounted to 17 933 MW while planned maintenance was 3 451 MW.
“Eskom would like to remind customers and the public that load-shedding is implemented as a last resort to maintain the stability of the power system,” said the power utility.
“We would like again to apologise for the inconvenience caused to the people of South Africa by the load-shedding.”
Eskom requested the public to continue to use electricity sparingly.
