Stage 3 load shedding returns

It said the stage 3 load shedding is expected to last until Monday morning.

The return of load shedding is due to the loss of 2.700 megawatts over the past 14 hours.

It's been over a week since load shedding was last implemented, while stage 3 load shedding was last implemented in January.

Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said the increased reliance on emergency reserves this week contributed to planned power cuts.

"This includes Koeberg Unit 2, which was taken offline after being brought back on Wednesday, and two Kusile Units whose coal operations went sub-optimal following adverse weather in the area.

"Higher levels of planned maintenance outages, aimed at winter preparation and meeting regulatory and environmental licensing requirements, are still underway.

"The constrained capacity resulted in the increased reliance on emergency reserves during this week, which makes it necessary to focus on replenishing these critical resources during the weekend in preparation for the business week."

Mokwena added that the events that triggered load shedding occurred while the system was already under strain.

"Eskom is focused on deploying extra engineering resources to expedite the repair of units currently offline. It is anticipated that 6,200MW will be restored to service by Monday’s evening peak."

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