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.
"The delay in returning to service two generating units at Tutuka Power Station is contributing to the current capacity constraints. Eskom teams are working around the clock to return the generating units to service." The power utility said this pattern would be"repeated daily until further notice", adding it would publish another update should any significant changes occur. Load shedding will be suspended during daytime hours, Eskom announced on Saturday.
Yellow level 2 warnings have been issued for navigation at sea between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas. Level 2 Warnings were also issued for wind that could affect driving conditions and damage infrastructure in formal and informal settlements in parts of the Northern Cape, as well as the Cape Winelands and Central Karoo District in the Western Cape. Very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected in several parts of the country between Friday evening and Sunday.
Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 on Friday until midnight. After that, it will be suspended until 16:00 on Saturday. At a briefing on Sunday on the work of the National Energy Crisis Committee, Eskom generation executive Eric Shunmagum said that Eskom unplanned breakdowns had averaged around 15 000MW for the past five days, a 3 000 MW improvement on recent months.How soon will SA get a significant number of new energy projects onto the grid? The good news is that the light is on at the end of the tunnel.