The electricity supplier said it was a probability that load-shedding may be implemented at short notice should any further breakdowns occur before then.
“Continued poor performance at the Kusile, Duvha and Tutuka power stations, delays in returning some other units to service, and breakdowns over the last week have caused the need to implement load-shedding.
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“Eskom has had to extensively utilise the emergency generation reserves which are being rapidly depleted. This period of load-shedding will be used to replenish the emergency generation reserves.”
Eskom currently has 6 212MW on planned maintenance, while another 11 217MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays, which has led to the power company saying it was unable to supply the increasing demand.
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“There is a high probability that load-shedding may continue to be implemented throughout the weekend, depending on plants returning to service from planned maintenance as well as the levels of the emergency generation reserves.”
Eskom added that it would continue to assess and communicate promptly as the situation changes.