Ignore Eskom’s previous load shedding update, more units broke down

Despite earlier plans to reduce load shedding, Eskom announced an increase in stages.

Photo: iStock

Eskom said early Saturday morning it would increase the stage of load shedding “due to further breakdowns of generating units”.

The power utility previously communicated that stage 4 load shedding would be reduced to stage 3 over the weekend.

Stage 5 was initially in place until 5am on Saturday, followed by stage 3 until 4pm, and then stage 4 until Sunday 5am.

After the recent breakdowns, stage 4 load shedding will be implemented until 4pm today (Saturday, 6 May 2023).

As of Friday, breakdowns were at 17 245 MW of generating capacity while 4 468 MW was out of service for planned maintenance.

At the time, three units were returned to service at Hendrina, Lethabo and Tutuka power stations.

However, Eskom warned said a generating unit had to be taken offline at Camden, Kendal, and Majuba each, while Duvha power station lost two units.

An additional delay in service of units at Arnot and Matla only added to the capacity constraints.

Also on Friday, electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the next 150 days will be “very difficult” for South Africans.

Eskom expects an increase of up to 3 700MW during the winter season, and an increase in rotational power cuts.

During the Energy Action Plan briefing on Friday, Ramokgopa said “the work on improving the energy availability factor is continuous”.