Johannesburg – Owing to breakdowns of generation units Eskom has implemented Stage 3 load-shedding from 14:00 on Friday until 05:00 on Monday morning.
The power utility said Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented throughout the week ahead.
“Due to the loss of an additional five generating units this morning, Stage 3 load-shedding will be implemented from 14:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Monday morning,” Eskom said Friday.
“Thereafter, for the week ahead, Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented continuously.”
Eskom said the additional load-shedding Friday night is required to manage and recover the emergency generation reserves, which have been used extensively over the past five days.
Eskom urged all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly.
“Since this morning three generating units at Tutuka Power Station as well as two Kusile Power Station generating units tripped, necessitating the escalation in the stage of load-shedding,” the struggling power utility said.
“The delay in the return to service of Koeberg Unit 2 has exacerbated the capacity shortages.”
Eskom added: “During this weekend, critical planned maintenance at Hydro de Cahorra Bassa in Mozambique, Lethabo, Majuba, Matimba and Camden power stations will be carried out in preparation for the week ahead.
“We currently have 4 588MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 131MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.”
