Eskom ramps up load shedding to stage 4
Residents and businesses across the country will have to brace themselves for more darkness when Eskom ramps up load shedding from stage 2 to stage 4 on Friday afternoon.
The embattled power utility announced the rolling power cuts earlier tin the day following the shutdown of three generating units at Kendal Power Station and the trip of units at Tutuka and Matimba power stations.
The delayed return to service of units at Majuba and Lethabo power stations also compounded the power utility’s woes.
Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says stage 4 will be implemented at 2pm.
“Thereafter, stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Saturday 6 November until 05:00 on Monday 8 November.”
Mantshantsha adds there is insufficient diesel available in the country to continue generating with the open-cycle-gas-turbines at the current rate.
“It is anticipated that some generating units will return to service later today and overnight allowing a reduction to stage 2 load shedding for the remainder of the weekend.
“Stage 2 load shedding is necessary to replenish emergency generation reserves particularly at the pump storage schemes for the week ahead,” says Mantshantsha.
The power cuts come a day after the country emerged from local government elections.
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