Update: Stage 6 loadshedding times for Ballito confirmed

It has just been confirmed that electricity supply to various parts of the North Coast should be restored before 9pm tonight.

Stanger (KwaDukuza Northern Grid) (Tinley Manor to Zinkwazi) should be restored at 8.30pm.

Ballito (KwaDukuza Southern Grid) (Tinley Manor to Zimbali) should be restored at 8.30pm.

Further updates will be made available when possible.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Eskom just announced that it has moved from stage 4 loadshedding to stage 6, as of 6pm tonight.

The term ‘Stage 6’ is trending online and numerous municipal websites as well as Eskom’s have crashed due to being inundated with users.

Social media is on fire with South Africans demanding to know what is going on and, more importantly, just what exactly stage six means for them.

According to Eskom, stage 6 loadshedding requires that a total of 6 000MW be shed from the demand.

What this means in terms of times is yet to be clarified however.

“We regret and sincerely apologise that stage 4 loadshedding will move to stage 6 as a result of a shortage of capacity,” Eskom said.

It was said that stage 6 had been implemented following a ‘technical problem’ at the Medupi power plant which had impacted on additional generating supply.

Exacerbating the situation is the recent heavy rains which had seen to several coal handling and operational problems at several power stations.

“We remind and assure customers that loadshedding at stage 6 is no cause for alarm as the system is being effectively controlled,” Eskom said.

Eskom’s emergency response command centre and technical teams will be working through the night to restore units as soon as possible, it said.

“Loadshedding is a responsible act and highly controlled process implemented to protect the country from a national blackout,” explained Eskom.

No time-frames have been forthcoming however, Eskom said that it will provide updates when possible.

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