Stage 2 and 4 rotational power cuts will be the order of the day for the week ahead, according to Eskom’s latest update on planned load-shedding.

Power utility crisis communication manager Menzi Mngomezulu in a statement says until another update is issued, stage 4 (16:00-05:00) and stage 2 (05:00-16:00) load-shedding will be in implementation.

“Breakdowns have reduced to 15 798MW of generating capacity [loss] while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3 099MW,” he explains.

Mngomezulu adds that a generating unit each has returned to service at five power stations: Grootvlei, Kendal, Kriel, Majuba and Medupi, over the past 24 hours.

“The delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and two generating units at Tutuka power stations are contributing to the current capacity constraints. Eskom teams are working tirelessly to return these generating units to service,” he says and urges citizens to switch off non-essential appliances and reduce their demand.