Eskom released a statement at short notice, announcing the return of stage 2 loadshedding from 11:00 on Friday.
Stage 2 loadshedding could escalate this weekend
The power utility revealed that a unit at Lethabo and Majuba power stations “delayed in returning to service.”
Moreover, this was compounded by the sudden failure of a unit at Tutuka power station, adding further strain to an already battered power system.
“Regretfully, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented starting at 11:00. A unit at Lethabo and Majuba were delayed in returning to service. A unit at Tutuka tripped,” Eskom noted.
Regretfully, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented starting at 11:00. A unit at Lethabo and Majuba were delayed in returning to service. A unit at Tutuka tripped
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) November 5, 2021
@EskomSpokesper1 @News24 @Newzroom405 @SABCNews @eNCA @SundayTimesZA @SowetanLIVE @IOL @ewnupdates
Furthermore, the national power supplier warned that this weekend may see matters escalate further with heightened stages of rotational power cuts. Frankly put, businesses operating on weekends and South Africans with plans on these days of rest will have to accommodate anything above stage 2.
“We unfortunately do expect the load shedding stage to escalate into the weekend but this can only be confirmed once we have a better understanding of these problems and when it is likely to be resolved,” the statement concluded.
We unfortunately do expect the load shedding stage to escalate into the weekend but this can only be confirmed once we have a better understanding of these problems and when it is likely to be resolved.
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) November 5, 2021
Of course, the news was not received well by South Africans. Here are a few reactions from the trending topic on social media:
South-Ah: [still trying to navigate this pandemic in a clowntree full of problems on top of our own personal problems].
— Noah's Uncle (@_ror_c_) November 5, 2021
Eskom: Whoops, loadshedding starts in 30 minutes. Good luck lol.
The ANC is to blame for loadshedding, Eskom warned the government in 1998 that electricity would run out by 2007 and new power plants should built. The ANC did nothing for almost 7 years. The loadshedding is because of a complete failure of the ANC. Nothing else!
— Alistair (@AliStewart89) November 5, 2021
I'm doing a live tonight and now there's loadshedding during that time 😞😭
— #Selfcare Queen | Coach✨ (@miss_dhanusha) November 5, 2021