Stage 5 load shedding from Sunday as 11 generating units remain offline

Just when you thought things couldn’t get more challenging, escalating power outages sneak up to ruin your weekend.

Due to several breakdowns at 10 power stations, Eskom said it is forced to increase the load shedding stage.

Stage 5 load shedding

Starting on Sunday, stage 5 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm until 5am on Monday.

But the light at the end of the tunnel still seems distant as the load shedding pattern will likely persist for the unforeseeable future.

Rest of the week? Also stage 5

Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 5am to 4pm on Monday, after which stage 5 load shedding will shroud the evening hours until 5am the following day.

This rhythm is set to continue until further notice, according to Eskom‘s power alert on Sunday.

But why, I hear you ask?

11 units offline

On Sunday, Eskom confirmed that two generating units were taken offline, and nine units failed to return to service.

Generating units at Matla and Tutuka power stations have suffered breakdowns while further delays resulted in the delay of service of units at:

• Arnot: one unit offline
• Hendrina: one unit offline
• Kendal: one unit offline
• Kriel: one unit offline
• Lethabo: one unit offline
• Matimba: one unit offline
• Tutuka: one unit offline
• Camden: two units offline

That means a total of 11 generating units are currently out of service, and Eskom is grappling with 18 144 MW lost of breakdowns.

Another 3 427 MW is out of commission for planned maintenance.

Four units restored

But every cloud has a silver lining, I guess?

Eskom said over the past 24 hours, it successfully reactivated a generation unit at each of the Arnot, Camden, Kendal, and Palmiet power stations.

Eskom said technicians are attending to breakdowns and updates will be shared on official channels if the situation changes.