Eskom has announced stage 4 load shedding with immediate effect, following the breakdown of four generating units.
Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 daily. Stage 4 load shedding will then be implemented daily from 16:00 until 05:00.
The power utility said this pattern will be repeated daily until further notice. Eskom blamed the load shedding outlook on delays in returning some units to service.
The increase in load shedding severity comes after four more of Eskom’s coal-fired generating units broke down and the utility experienced delays in returning other units to service. It did not elaborate where the four units were located.
Eskom has also appealed with the public to conserve as much electricity as possible during this period.
More than half of 2022 has seen days with load shedding, with South Africa hitting the 200 day mark on Tuesday (27 December)- and things are only expected to get even worse in 2023.
South Africa experienced the highest level of load shedding in 2022, with stage 6 being implemented more than once.
As means to combat alleged sabotage at some of Eskom’s power stations during the festive season, President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered SANDF troops to guard some of the power stations as a deterrent.
Recently, Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter tendered his resignation and is expected to leave in March 2023. His resignation comes as the country experienced the highest stages of load shedding.
While Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan acknowledged that De Ruyter is not to blame for load shedding, the utility has not been able to resolve the power crisis under his leadership.
Source: Business Tech, IOL, My Broadband, image from Twitter: @Our_DA