Eskom said the load shedding is necessary as the power generation system is still severely constrained due to high-generation unit breakdowns the past three days.
Cape Town – Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 1pm until 6am tomorrow, says Eskom.
Eskom said in a statement the load shedding is necessary as the power generation system is still severely constrained due to high-generation unit breakdowns the past three days, as well as the need to replenish diminishing emergency generation reserves.
To make matters worse, the outlook for the power system is unpredictable and there is a high probability of load shedding continuing during the rest of the day tomorrow.
“Eskom will continue to assess and communicate promptly as the situation changes. This morning a generation unit each at the Lethabo, Kendal and Duvha Power Stations were taken offline for repairs, adding to the high number of breakdowns and units that have failed to return to service as planned,” it said.
It currently has 4 858MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 521MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays.
“As previously communicated, Eskom continues to implement reliability maintenance during this period and as such the system will continue to be constrained, with the possibility of load shedding – be it Stage 2 or Stage 3 — remaining elevated.
“Eskom requests the public to continue using electricity sparingly as the system remains vulnerable and unpredictable, and we will communicate timeously should there be any significant changes to the power system.”
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