CAPE TOWN – Loadshedding is expected to stay for the rest of the week, heading up to Stage 3 on Monday and Tuesday, as power utility Eskom suffers further loss of generating capacity.
Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 5pm until 10pm on Sunday.
On Monday and Tuesday, at the same times, loadshedding will be implemented at Stage 3.
Thereafter loadshedding will be reduced to Stage 2 for the rest of the week.
Eskom says it will continue to closely monitor the system, and adjust and communicate any changes as may be necessary.
“Since yesterday evening (Saturday), breakdowns occurred on a unit each at Tutuka, Camden and Majuba power stations.
“A generating unit each at Hendrina and Majuba power stations returned to service today.
“We currently have 2 094MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 640MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
“Eskom appeals to all South Africans to help limit the impact of loadshedding by reducing the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items.
“Eskom would like to remind the public that loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly especially between 05:00 and 09:00 in the mornings and 16:00 and 22:00 in the evenings."
Last week, Eskom teams returned a generating unit to service at Kusile and Majuba power stations while a unit each at Camden and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs.
Cape Times