Daytime load shedding is expected to return from Wednesday morning following increased failure of generation units at state power utility, Eskom.
The power utility had not implemented the rolling power cuts in the daytime since Friday due to improved performance at power stations.
From Wednesday, Stage 1 load shedding will be implemented from 5am to 4pm on Wednesday and Thursday followed by Stage 3 from 4pm until midnight on both days.
The scheduled power outages are then expected to be suspended from midnight on Thursday until 4pm on Friday afternoon with Stage 3 following.
“Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Grootvlei, Kriel and Matla power stations was returned to service. In the same period, a generation unit each at Majuba and Tutuka power stations was taken out of service due to breakdowns.
“The delay in returning to service a generating unit at Tutuka Power Station is contributing to the current capacity constraints. Eskom teams are working around the clock to return generating units to service over the next few days,” the power utility said in a statement.
Generation unit breakdowns have taken offline some 14 991MW of capacity coupled with a further 4264MW offline due to planned maintenance.
“We thank those South Africans who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers from 5pm to 9pm, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of load shedding,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
