![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/12/LIGHTS-OUT_2005636.jpg)
Earlier the power utility announced that the power supply was under severe pressure and would be implementing load shedding Stage 2 from 11am to 10pm today.
Eskom would still be load shedding from 11am to 10pm, however Stage 3 load shedding allows for up to 4000MW to be shed and the duration of outages in affected areas would be longer than those experienced during Stage 2 load shedding.
The forced outages are expected to continue over the weekend.
The power utility earlier outlined its load shedding plans for the weekend, stating that it would load shed in Stage 2 on 6 December from 6am to 10pm and on 7 December from 8am to 10pm.
However, according to the utility this was subject to change based on its capacity and the electricity demand.
Parts of Fourways had been hard hit by blackouts resulting in severe traffic congestion due to non-functioning traffic lights and Fourways Mall being forced to close all outlets.
Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg announced that it sought to reduce electricity consumption in the city by remotely switching off geysers.
“In our effort to reduce the impact of load shedding on the city of Johannesburg, City Power will remotely switch off the geyser control systems to certain areas at specific times to manage the electricity load across the city,” the city council said.
According to City Power, the ripple relay – a device installed on geysers to control the power supply to the unit- enables the utility to cut off the power supply to the geyser when demand is too high.
The Geyser Ripple Relay Project started two years ago and had been rolled out in many parts of the city, including the northern suburbs in a bid to assist people to reduce their electricity consumption.
City Power spokesperson Sol Masolo said geysers fitted with the device would be switched off in response to Eskom’s calls to reduce electricity consumption.
City Power would continue to update customers regarding load shedding through both the City Power and the city council’s twitter accounts – @CityPowerJhb and @CityofJoburgZA .