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Stage 3 load shedding to continue, but some units expected to return online – Eskom
Here's the new load shedding schedule for the week.
Eskom’s Lethabo Power Station in Free State. Picture: Gallo Images/Business Day/Freddy Mavunda
Eskom has announced stage 3 load shedding will continue to be implemented until Tuesday morning.
In a brief statement, the power utility said load shedding will be reduced to stage 2 from 5am on Tuesday until 4pm.
This will be followed by stage 3 until 5am on Wednesday.
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South Africa will alternate between stage 2 and 3 load shedding during the same period until further notice.
“Eskom will publish another update as soon as any significant changes occur,” the power utility said on Monday.
Here’s the load shedding schedule:
- Stage 2 – 5am to 4pm
- Stage 3 – 4pm to 5am
According to Eskom, breakdowns currently stood at 15 984 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity although it expects six generation units to return to service on Tuesday.
Weather forces suspension in Western Cape
Earlier on Monday, Eskom announced the suspension of load shedding with immediate effect for parts of the Western and Eastern Cape amid widespread damage to electricity infrastructure caused by heavy rainfall in several coastal areas over the weekend.
The power utility said it wanted to ensure that technical teams restore the supply of electricity safely.
Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has indicated that disruptions in the Eastern Cape would likely worsen, with flooding increasing.
“The flooding is likely to have one or more of the following impacts: widespread flooding of roads and settlements, dangerous fast flowing streams and deep water, communities not accessible/ cut off for a prolonged period, widespread damage to property, buildings, and loss of livelihoods and livestock”.
It also warned of prolonged disruptions to essential services, widespread mudslides and soil erosion, potential breakage of dam, damage to mud-based dwelling, and damage to crops.
The weather service had issued a level 9 warning of disruptive rain and gale force winds for the Western Cape although it has been downgraded to level 6 for now.
The weather system was expected to move towards the Garden Route region, according to Schalk Carstens, who is the acting head of the provincial disaster management centre (PDMC).
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