Eskom has announced it will implement stage 4 load-shedding from 9am on Wednesday until Friday.
“It is with a great deal of disappointment that Eskom has to inform the public that further failures overnight of generation units has necessitated the implementation of stage 4 load-shedding starting at 9am,” said Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
This will be in force until 5am on Friday.
Load-shedding will then be lowered to stage 2 until Monday morning.
Mantshantsha said a unit each at Kendal, Duvha, Camden and Kusile power stations tripped overnight.
“Since then, we have returned four units to service. However, these units need to ramp up to full output, which necessitates a high use of emergency generation reserves today.
“This being the fourth day of extremely high diesel use, the emergency reserves are being depleted faster than can be replenished,” said Mantshantsha.
He said stage 4 load-shedding would give the power utility the space required to replenish emergency reserves and continue to manage the system safely.
Total breakdowns amounted to 15,439MW while planned maintenance is 5, 505MW of capacity.
“Eskom would like to apologise for the implementation of load-shedding, and will continuously review the situation and act appropriately as circumstances change,” Mantshantsha said.
Eskom appealed to the public to help it limit the impact of load-shedding by reducing the use of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items.
TimesLIVE
Eskom will implement stage 4 load-shedding today. File image.