Eskom ramps up load shedding with stage 6 expected for week ahead

Power utility Eskom announced that load shedding will be pushed to stage 6 from 4pm on Sunday.

Stage 5 blackouts were implemented on Saturday.

“Due to the failure of additional generating units and the delay of several units to return to service, stage 6 will be implemented at 16:00 this afternoon until further notice,” Eskom said.

The state power company warned that stage 6 is anticipated to persist throughout the week, saying updates will be published as soon as any significant change occurs.

Eskom said breakdowns were currently at 19 333MWV of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 4 534MW.

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Since Saturday morning, according to Eskom, a generating unit at Duvha, Lethabo and Medupi power stations have returned to service.

Eskom also said a generating unit each at Majuba, Medupi and Tutuka power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns.

Power constraints

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

“The team is working around the clock to ensure that the generating units are returned to service as soon as possible,” Eskom said in a statement.

On Saturday the battling state power utility Eskom ramped up load shedding to stage 5, despite previous assurances that stage 3 and 4 rolling blackouts would be in place over the weekend.

But early on Saturday morning Eskom said it would increase the stage of load shedding “due to further breakdowns of generating units”.

Tougher times ahead

Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has indicated that South Africans should brace for winter without electricity and that the next 150 days will be “very difficult”.

Eskom expects an increase in demand of up to 3 700MW during the winter season, and an increase in rotational power cuts.

During the Energy Action Plan briefing on Friday, Ramokgopa said “the work on improving the energy availability factor is continuous”.

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