Load shedding: Ramped up to Stage 4
The power utility has announced the implementation of Stage 4 load shedding until further notice.
In a short statement on social media site X, Eskom said: “Due to insufficient emergency reserves and generation capacity as a result of four units not returning to service as planned, Stage 4 load shedding was implemented this morning at 02:31 am until further notice,” it said on Wednesday.
This is as the power utility on Tuesday announced the implementation of Stage 2 load shedding from 9 am to 4 pm followed by Stage 3 load shedding from 4 pm until 5 am on Wednesday. This was to be followed by Stage 2 load shedding until 4 pm. At the time, it said the pattern of implementing Stage 2 load shedding in the morning and Stage 3 load shedding in the evening would be repeated daily until further notice.
Meanwhile, the Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has encouraged workers at Lethabo Power Station to keep the station’s performance high.
The power station is Eskom’s second-best-performing station.
The Minister was visiting the Free State-based power station as part of a follow-up of his initial visits to power stations.
“When units fail…just remember what that does to the South African economy and the poor. Remember what that does to the national fiscus and our ability to meet our promise to take care of the poor, ensure that people remain in employment and ensure that we are able to realise growth.
“I’ve come here… to say thank you. Let’s keep up the good work. There’s more that ought to be done,” he said.
ALSO READ: Cape Town launches Festive Beach Safety Plan
The Minister explained the government’s plans to augment generation capacity.
“We are working on new generation capacity. We can’t just solely rely on the Eskom fleet; we need additional generation capacity and here I’m talking of gas. We are working on gas – 3000MW – and we are also working on connecting the renewables, solar PV and wind.
“I have been assigned the responsibility of coming back to Cabinet with a financing model proposition on how we are going to expand and strengthen the grid,” he said.
For access to other load-shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available here