Seven generators that were expected to return to service on Monday failed to do so and as a result, Eskom said it was implementing Stage 4 load-shedding.
“Eskom regrets to inform the public that due to the ongoing generation capacity shortages, Stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented from 13:00 (today) until 05:00 on Friday,” said the power utility in a statement.
“Thereafter Stage 2 load-shedding will continue as previously communicated until 05:00 on Saturday.
“While Eskom regrets the escalation in load-shedding, it is necessary to ration the remaining emergency generation reserves, which have been utilised extensively this morning as we are not getting the reduction in demands as expected from the implementation of Stage 2 load-shedding.
“It was anticipated that an additional seven units would have returned to service by Monday, and this has not materialised.
“Further, a generating unit at Arnot power station tripped this morning contributing to the shortages.”
Stage 4 means customers will be scheduled for load-shedding 12 times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or 12 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.
Eskom aplogised for the inconvenience.
