Due to a shortage of generating capacity, Stage 3 load shedding started from 05:00 on Saturday until further notice, Eskom said.
Said Eskom:"Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit at Camden Power Station was returned to service. In the same period, a generating unit at Matla and two generating units at Camden and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs. The delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and two generating units at Tutuka power stations is contributing to the current capacity constraints.
There has, however, been a delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and two generating units at Tutuka power stations.Stage 4 load shedding will continue to be implemented until 05:00 on Saturday, Eskom has said. Thereafter, various stages of load shedding will be implemented until 05:00 on Monday.
This was"due to further delays in returning generating units to service", as well as"the further failure of 5 generating units" on Monday. Eskom said it would publish another update should any significant changes occur. It said breakdowns had increased to 16 943MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3 761MW. Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit at Camden and Matla power stations were returned to service.
Thereafter, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented until 05:00 on Sunday. Breakdowns have reduced to 16 302MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3 616MW, it added. However, Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 on Monday until 05:00 on Tuesday, as previously communicated.
"The increase in the demand for electricity due to the cold weather, particularly on Monday and Tuesday, was anticipated, however this demand exceeded what was forecasted," the power utility said. "Thereafter, Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 14:00 today until 05:00 on Thursday. This pattern will be repeated daily until further notice. Eskom will publish an update as soon as any significant changes occur."Stage 4 load shedding will continue to be implemented from 14:00 on Tuesday until 05:00 on Wednesday. Thereafter, Stage 3 and 4 load shedding will alternate until further notice.