Stage 4 loadshedding was implemented from 5am to 4pm today after power utility Eskom revealed additional breakdowns at various power stations.
Also read: Eskom proposes power outages of up to 32 hours to prevent grid collapse
According to Eskom, the breakdown of a unit each at Arnot, Majuba and Medupi power stations resulted in the implementation of stage 4 loadshedding.
Eskom announced stage 3 loadshedding and has implemented stage 4 in the afternoons daily.
This increase in stages of loadshedding comes after Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa returned to Kusile Power Station on Monday, stating that repairs to three damaged units were still underway, adding that the first unit would be running by November.
The three units have not been working since December, placing the grid under pressure and leading to higher stages of blackouts. All three are expected back by December, with the potential for lower stages of loadshedding.
The minister stated that if the three units could be back running by the end of the year, it could result in lower loadshedding stages, boosting the fight against the crippling loadshedding blackouts.
Eskom interim spokesperson Daphne Mokwena’s previous update revealed that breakdowns have decreased to 16 369MW of generating capacity, while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3 369MW.
‘During the last 24 hours, a generating unit at Matla Power Station has returned to service.’
‘In the same period, another generation unit at Matla Power Station was taken out of service due to breakdowns.’
‘In addition, the delay in returning units to service at Camden, Hendrina, Kendal, Matla and two generating units at Tutuka Power Stations continue to add to the current capacity constraints,’ Mokwena said.
The spokesperson insinuated that the team was working tirelessly to ensure that generating units were returned to service as soon as possible and that further updates would be communicated as soon as any changes occured.
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Picture: Murray Swart