Eskom to implement Stage 2 load shedding from 5p.m on Tuesday

Eskom has announced that Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 5p.m on Tuesday, and this will last until 5a.m on Monday.

In a statement, the ailing parastatal said that load shedding has been caused by a shortage of generation capacity owing to delays in returning generators to service, as well as breakdowns of nine generators.

‘’Eskom will continue to monitor the system and implement any changes as required.Since yesterday a generation unit each at Lethabo, Tutuka, Ingula, Drakensberg, Arnot as well as two units each at Hendrina and Matla power stations suffered breakdowns. Further, delays in returning generators to service at Arnot, Kendal and three units at Tutuka power stations have added to the capacity constraints,’’ it said.

Eskom says it expects to return as many of these units to service as possible over the next few days.

‘’We also expect to rely on the use of emergency generating reserves to limit the stage of loadshedding during this period. We currently have 3 875MW on planned maintenance, while another 15 067MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns,’’ it added.

Eskom again appealed to customers to use electricity sparingly.

‘’Eskom would again like to remind the public that loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore request the public to continue using electricity sparingly to reduce the occurrence of loadshedding.’’

The City of Cape Town announced that it will implement Stage 1 load shedding from 5p.m until 10p.m on Tuesday. Thereafter, it will move a stage higher until 6a.m on Wednesday, where they will revert to stage 1 again.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Done By: Mitchum George