Eskom pushes load shedding to stage 5 ahead of weekend – here’s the schedule

Ailing state-owned-entity Eskom said stage 5 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm on Friday  afternoon until 5am on Saturday.

Thereafter, various stages of the rolling blackouts will be implemented over the weekend.

Eskom crisis communication manager Menzi Mngomezulu said the utility will publish another update if there are any significant changes.

Breakdowns and maintenance

“Breakdowns are currently at 17 392MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 2 940MW. Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Grootvlei, Hendrina and Kriel power stations were returned to service,” he said.

Mngomezulu said in the same period, a generation unit at Camden and two generating units at Arnot power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns.

“Furthermore, the delay in returning units to service at Arnot, Camden, Hendrina, Kendal, Matimba, Matla and Tutuka power stations continue to add to the current capacity constraints.

“The team is working tirelessly to ensure that generating units are returned to service as soon as possible,” he said.

ALSO READ: Stage 8 load shedding hits SA and it’s likely to get worse

Gordhan on load shedding

Earlier this week, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said citizens should settle for rolling blackouts until the end of the year at least.

His remarks came after ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula previously told South Africans that load shedding will be over by the end of 2023.

Winter outlook

With Eskom painting a bleak winter outlook and likely of stage 8 load shedding, Gordhan said new capacity is urgently needed, and the grid needed to be extended.

“We now know that we have to, as a population and as an economy, settle for load shedding of a significant order until the end of the year at least.

“However, nonetheless, determined efforts are being made by government to ensure that the recovery of the generation capacity of Eskom must be complimented by the reintroduction of new capacity to end load shedding,” Gordhan said.

ALSO READ: ‘SA must settle for load shedding until end of year at least’ – Gordhan