- According to South Africa’s state owned energy utility, Eskom, Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 17:00 this afternoon until 16:00 on Tuesday.
- Thereafter, Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 until 05:00 on Wednesday followed by Stage 3 loadshedding until 16:00.
- Stage 5 means that the population of South Africa will face bouts of blackouts for up to 5 hours at a time.
Breakdowns are currently at 14 940MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance has increased to 7 215MW.
Over the past 24 hours a generation unit was returned to service at Lethabo and Matimba power stations.
In the same period, two generating units at Kriel Power Station and a generating unit at Kendal Power Station were taken offline for repairs. The delays in returning a unit to service at Camden, Lethabo, Kriel, Medupi and Tutuka power stations have contributed to the capacity constraints.
Further, the expected increase in demand after the Easter weekend will put additional strain on the power generation system and may require an increase in a stage of loadshedding at short notice.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
