Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented until Sunday, 3 September. Photo: iStock
Not even South Africa’s classic new “generator anthem” can lighten the load of Eskom’s latest announcement that Stage 4 load shedding will now continue to be implemented daily until 5am on Sunday this week.
Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented until 4pm Sunday afternoon.
Early this morning, the embattled power utility shared the rather ominous news that it suffered “the loss of three generation units last night”.
In its afternoon update of all-day Stage 4 load shedding, Eskom explained the escalation in power cuts was “necessary due to the need to recover emergency generation reserves, and the generation maintenance to be implemented in preparation for the coming week.”
Thursday, 31 August
Friday, 1 September
Saturday, 2 September
Sunday, 3 September
Breakdowns are currently at 14,953MW of generating capacity – below the group’s target of 15,000MW – while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5,914MW.
According to Eskom, a generating unit at Arnot and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs.
Subsequently, a generating unit at Arnot, Duvha and Tutuka power stations was returned to service.
The delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and Tutuka power stations is also contributing to the current capacity constraints.
ALSO READ: ‘Outright lies’: DA accuses Mbeki of trying to shift blame for load shedding
The news was met by comments on social media, such as “Brics summit over, we are on our own” and “Eskom, is the PCLF [Planned Capability Loss Factor] in line with your projections? I think you rushed to ramp us maintenance without having the necessary buffer”.
Jip, not even King Price Insurance’s viral advert of Mzansi’s “new national anthem” can “generate gees”. But just in case it might bring the odd smile in the darkness, we’ll share it again. Take a look…
The load shedding schedules of major metros are available here:
For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.
NOW READ: Eskom lost R5 billion between April and June
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