Eskom to implement Stage Two blackouts on Monday

Eskom has announced that Stage Two blackouts will be implemented from 7 pm on Monday until 5 am on Tuesday morning and be repeated on Tuesday until Wednesday.

The power utility says this is due to multiple generating unit failures over the past 24 hours.

Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says the blackout is required in order for Eskom to replenish the emergency generation reserves, which have been utilised significantly since the past weekend.

Mantshantsha says they will communicate promptly should there be any significant changes to the power system.

“Since this morning, a unit each at the Matla, Kendal, Matimba, Kusile and Grootvlei power stations tripped, while a unit each at Arnot and Hendrina power stations were forced shut down. This, in addition to other units that had tripped during the weekend, reduced available generation capacity, forcing Eskom to rely heavily on emergency generation reserves to keep the lights on.”

“While we expect some generation units to return to service over the next 24 hours, Eskom appeals to all South Africans to help us limit the impact of backouts by reducing the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items,” adds Mantshantsha.

Further development to the #PowerAlert: Medupi Unit 3 broke down a short while ago. This requires Stage 2 loadshedding to be implemented continuously starting at 17:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Wednesday. https://t.co/l1et1AKPdn

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 7, 2022