Eskom to keep SA in stage 5 and 6 load shedding ‘until further notice’

Eskom has announced that stage 6 load shedding will continue until 5am on Tuesday.

Stage 5 load shedding will then be implemented from 5am until 4pm. Stage 6 will then return during the evening from 4pm until 5am.

The power utility said this pattern of load shedding will be in place “until further notice”.

Breakdowns

“Breakdowns are currently at 17 325MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 457MW.

“Over the past 24 hours a generation unit each at Camden, Koeberg and Medupi power stations were returned to service,” said Eskom in a statement.

According to Eskom, two generating units at Kriel Power Station were taken offline for repairs.

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

Delays

The delays in returning a unit to service at Kendal, Kriel, Medupi and Tutuka power stations have contributed to the capacity constraints. Eskom said its team are working around the clock to ensure that these units are returned to service as soon as possible.

“We thank those South Africans who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently in helping to alleviate the pressure on the power system, as this is assisting in avoiding higher stages of load shedding.”

Stage 8

Meanwhile, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has said he was not aware that Eskom had plunged the country into stage 8 load shedding last week without informing the nation.

“I have noted some reportage that suggests that we are already at stage 8 [load shedding]. I want to say that such information is not sitting with me,” said Ramokgopa.

ALSO READ: Ramokgopa in dark about Eskom implementing stage 8 load shedding

The minister made the remarks to the media on Monday, on the sidelines of his meeting with officials of the ANC‘s national working committee (NWC) in Polokwane, Limpopo, on interventions government is taking to mitigate the crippling power cuts ahead of this winter season.

Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe