Eskom on Saturday announced that Stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented on Sunday afternoon.
The now too familiar see-saw changes in load-shedding will continue “with varying stages” during the week, the struggling power utility said.
“Due to the loss of five large generation units over the past 36 hours, as well as the delay in returning five units to service, load-shedding will regrettably be increased to Stage 3 (previously communicated Stage 2) at 07:00 -16:00 tomorrow,” said Eskom.
The power utility said between 16:00 and 00:00 load-shedding will be implemented at Stage 4, and then reduced to Stage 2 until 05:00 on Monday.
“Regrettably, Stage 4 load-shedding will have to be implemented at 05:00 00:00 on Monday,” said Eskom.
“Load-shedding will then be reduced to Stage 2 from midnight until 05:00 on Tuesday. This load-shedding sequence is likely to be repeated throughout the week.”
Eskom said three units at Kendal, one each at Tutuka and Majuba power stations, were forced offline to perform emergency repairs.
Explaining further the reason for the fluctuating load-shedding stages, Eskom said: “The return to service of a unit each at the Medupi, Arnot, Camden, Kriel and Duvha power stations has been delayed”.
The power utility added: “We currently have 4 597MW on planned maintenance, while another 16 457MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns”.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has written to the Leader of Government Business and Deputy President David Mabuza, requesting that Parliament be kept abreast of “executive interventions” to deal with the energy crisis.
