BREAKING: Stage 4 load shedding from Friday to Saturday, says Eskom

Eskom announced that Stage 4 load shedding would be implemented from 14:00 on Friday afternoon, 5 November until 5:00 on Saturday morning, 6 November. This comes after three of its generating units were shut down. The power supplier initially implemented Stage 2 load shedding from 11:00 before the escalation.

STAGE 4 LOAD SHEDDING

Eskom said three generating units at Kendal Power station were shut down; a unit each at Tutuka and Matimba power stations tripped and the delayed return to service of units at Majuba and Lethabo power stations are what led to the disruption of electricity supply on Friday.

“Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 14:00 until 5:00 on Saturday morning,” said Eskom.

Thereafter, the Stage 2 power cuts, which was announced earlier on Friday will continue from Saturday morning until 5:00 on Monday, 8 November.

RUNNING LOW ON DIESEL

The power supplier said that Stage 4 power cuts is necessary to stop the use of OCGT generators and preserve the remaining fuel at those power stations, which are currently critically low.

“There is insufficient diesel available in the country to continue generating with the OCGTs at the current rate. It is anticipated that some generating units will return to service later today and overnight allowing a reduction to Stage 2 load shedding for the remainder of the weekend,” said Eskom in a statement.

The power supplier said Stage 2 power cuts was necessary to replenish the emergency generation reserves for the week ahead.

“We remind customers that load shedding is implemented as a last resort to maintain the stability of the power system regardless of the stage of load shedding.”