Eskom: Back to stage 2 load shedding
The country will return to stage 2 load shedding from 9pm on Wednesday, Eskom has announced.
The power utility announced on Tuesday that the rolling blackouts would be eased to stage 1, but the loss of generation capacity has now forced it to return to stage 2.
It is expected to last until at least Saturday morning.
"This escalation in the stage of load shedding is required to safeguard the power system after a further loss of generating capacity at the Medupi, Arnot, Duvha and Kendal power stations,” says Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
“In addition to Eskom’s inability to supply the full demand, we have seen an increase in demand, which has put a further strain on the emergency generation reserves today.
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“The contributing factors for the losses are boiler tube leaks and units tripping, as well as the delay in the return to service of a single unit at the Kendal power station. Higher than anticipated demand today has also contributed to the extensive use of emergency generation resources.”
Mantshantsha says Eskom is working flat-out to return the units back to service as soon as possible.
“We currently have 6 052MW on planned maintenance, while another 12 690MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays. This has led to our inability to supply the full demand.”
