Due to the failure of additional generating units and the delay of several units to return to service, Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented at 16:00 this afternoon until further notice, says Eskom.<\/p>\n
The power utility said that this is expected to persist throughout the week.<\/p>\n
This change follows various recent amendments to the original weekend schedule and the outlook for the days ahead.<\/p>\n
The weekend was meant to be at a steady stage 4 however, on Saturday (6 May), breakdowns at the company forced Eskom to push to Stage 5.<\/p>\n
According to Eskom, it would publish a further update as soon as any significant changes occur.<\/p>\n
Breakdowns are currently at 19,333MW of generating capacity, while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 4,524MW.<\/p>\n
“Since yesterday morning, a generating unit each at Duvha, Lethabo and Medupi power stations have returned to service.”<\/p>\n
“Over the past 24 hours, a generation unit each at Majuba, Medupi and Tutuka power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns,” said the company.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the delay in returning units to service at Arnot, Camden, Hendrina, Majuba, Matla and Tutuka power stations continues to add to the current capacity constraints.<\/p>\n
Eskom said that its team is working around the clock to ensure that generating units are returned to service as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
To mitigate further power outages and reduce demand, the company has urged consumers to switch off geysers from 17:00- 21:00.<\/p>\n
Stages above 3 and 4 have almost become the norm as the country has spent the equivalent of a whole month in darkness this year so far. The future for Eskom only looks bleaker as the winter is expected to bring it increased demand.<\/p>\n
Schedules\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n For people living in the major metros, load shedding schedules are available here:<\/p>\n For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on\u00a0loadshedding.eskom.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Smartphone users can also download the app EskomSePush to receive push notifications when load shedding is implemented, as well as the times the area you are in will be off.<\/p>\n\n
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