Embattled power utility Eskom says it has suffered 11 breakdowns at its power stations, necessitating all-day stage 6 load shedding until further notice.
Stage 6 load shedding will kick off from 4pm as previously planned but will continue until Eskom announces change.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Eskom said the breakdowns amount to over 5,084MW of capacity, further reducing available capacity and necessitating the increase in the stages of load shedding.
“Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm on Wednesday continuously until further notice. Due to the severe capacity constraints, Eskom will continue to manage the limited emergency reserves to supplement generation capacity.
“Eskom will continue to manage the limited emergency generation reserves to supplement generation capacity. Eskom will publish a further update as soon as there are significant changes,” it said.
Eskom said the units that broke down are from Camden, Duvha, Grootvlei, Hendrina and Kendal, and two units each at Kriel, Majuba and Matla power stations.
“A unit each at Camden, Duvha, Hendrina, Kriel, Matimba and Matla power stations have returned to service, representing 2,540MW of capacity. Meanwhile, planned maintenance is currently 5,739MW while breakdowns amount to 18,041MW of capacity,” Eskom said.
The power utility requests the public to reduce the usage of electricity and to exercise patience and tolerance during this difficult period. Eskom further stated that load shedding is only implemented as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Department of Energy will oversee Eskom.
Speaking during a media briefing, Ramaphosa said there was one of the resolutions adopted at the ANC’s national conference just days ago.
He said the resolution will be implemented and government will decide on how and when it will be done.
Source: eNCA, IOL, Business Tech, image from Twitter: @durban_kzn