Dark weekend in store as Eskom extends stage 4 load shedding

The embattled power utility implemented stage 4 throughout Thursday and Friday, with the hope of reducing it to lower stages from Saturday morning.

But Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says breakdowns and persistent shortages of generation capacity necessitate the continuous implementation of stage 4.

Stage 4 will continue until 5am on Sunday morning. The power cuts will then be reduced to stage 3 until 5am on Monday.

"Breakdowns of a generating unit each at Kriel, Majuba and Tutuka power stations over the past 24 hours have necessitated the continuation of load shedding at stage 4 until Sunday at 05:00,” Mantshantsha said. 

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“Thereafter load-shedding will be implemented at stage 3 until 05:00 on Monday.

“On Sunday, Eskom will provide the outlook of the load shedding stages for the week ahead as the teams are working around the clock to return units to service.”

Mantshantsha says some generation units are anticipated to return to service next week, but it is necessary to extend the load shedding to replenish the emergency generation reserves.

The embattled power utility is currently running at 7 210MW on planned maintenance, while another 15 319MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.