JUST IN: Eskom escalates load shedding to Stage 4

Eskom has escalated load shedding has been increased to stage 4 from 17:00 to 22:00 on Monday due to further loss of generating capacity.

Eskom said unit 2 of the Kusile Power Station tripped earlier on Monday taking 720MW of generating capacity with it.

Eskom said while this unit has since returned to service, it will slowly load up to full capacity during the night.

“This added loss of capacity regretfully requires Eskom to increase load shedding to Stage 4 from 17:00 until 22:00 tonight. Eskom will continue to closely monitor the system, adjust and communicate any changes.

“This morning a generating unit at Hendrina, Tutuka and Kriel power stations were returned to service while a unit each at Arnot Power Station was taken offline for repairs.”

Eskom

The power utility said it currently has 1 904MW on planned maintenance while another 17 255MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.

Eskom had previously warned it would be forced to implement load shedding throughout the coming week, also due to a loss in generating capacity. The utility says it currently has 2 094MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 640MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.

In the meantime, South Africans have been urged to help limit the impact of the rolling blackouts by switching off non-essential items.