Eskom ramps up to Stage 4 load shedding due to additional breakdowns

Stage 4 load shedding is in effect and is set to last until Monday morning.

In a statement, Eskom said this is due to additional breakdowns overnight on Friday. The embattled power utility said it was unable to replenish the emergency generation reserves, which has worsened the current generation capacity constraints

Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented until 5a.m on Monday.

Eskom’s spokesperson Sikonathi Manthanthsa said this is to replenish the emergency reserves in order to contain loadshedding to lower stages next week.

“A generation unit at Kendal was forced offline for emergency repairs while a unit each at Majuba, Lethabo and Camden power stations, as well as Hydro de Cahorra Bassa in Mozambique, were shut down for critical planned maintenance in preparation for the week ahead. Overnight a generation unit each at Kusile and Tutuka power stations returned to service. Eskom urges all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly.”

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town announced that due to a lack of spare generation capacity, its customers will also load shed on Stage 4. On its social media platforms, the municipality said the load-shedding mitigation unit of the Steenbras plant has gone offline due to, what it says, an unforeseen technical issue.

 

PICTURE: Pixabay

Done By: Mitchum George