Eskom has announced that stage 4 load-shedding will be maintained until Sunday to allow emergency generation reserves to recover capacity.

“Breakdowns are currently at 14 953MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 914MW. In the last 12 hours a generating unit at Arnot and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs. Subsequently, a generating unit at Arnot, Duvha and Tutuka power stations was returned to service,” spokesperson Daphne Mokwena explains.

She adds that capacity constraints have been worsened due to a delay in returning a generating unit each at the Kendal and Tutuka power stations to service.

“Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 27 639MW and we appeal to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances. We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 17:00 to 21:00, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of load-shedding,” she concludes.

Schedule:

• Stage 4: Until 05:00 on Sunday
• Stage 2: 05:00-16:00 on Sunday