Eskom implements stage 6 load shedding

Eskom has piled on the misery after announcing that it has implemented stage 6 load shedding from Sunday morning from stage 5.

Stage 6

In a tweet, the power utility said another generation unit had failed.

“Following the tripping of a generation unit each at Kusile and Kriel power stations, Stage 6 load shedding was implemented effective 04:16. Eskom appeals to the public to help conserve electricity.”

Eskom previously implemented stage 6 in July citing the lack in generation capacity which depended on a variety of factors including the return of the striking workforce who are needed to perform much-needed repairs. 

Stage 5

The ailing parastatal implemented stage 5 rolling blackouts from 10am on Saturday until 5am on Monday, warning of the possibility of higher stages of power cuts should there be any further breakdowns or loss of generation capacity.

ALSO READ: Eskom to cut your lights with stage 5 load shedding until Monday

The dark lords at Megawatt Park said the breakdown of five generating units overnight on Friday and Saturday morning, with combined capacity of 2 400MW, necessitated the escalation of rolling blackouts to stage 5.

Updating the Public

Eskom is expected to update the public on the way forward following the power cuts.

Load Shedding in Summer

Last week, Eskom group chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer said sporadic power cuts are likely to be implemented during summer months.

Oberholzer said Eskom suffered a “disastrous” week, with 42 generating units having tripped, which resulted in the current blackouts.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Energy Plan

Oberholzer also said they were aware of the questions on why Eskom was load shedding amid President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan on the energy crisis which should have helped the situation.

“This is going to take time to implement. For the next 12 months we may not see the benefits yet. Until then, we need to rely on coal fleet. It is a delicate situation and it is critical that capacity be added as soon as possible.”

ALSO READ: Load shedding: This is what stage 8 would look like