Eskom implements Stage 2 load shedding until Monday

More woes, more deprivations yet again. This comes after the announcement made by the power utility, Eskom, that Stage 2 load shedding has been implemented with immediate effect.

The troubled power utility said load shedding will take effect from 9pm tonight until 5am on Monday morning.

The power utility warned that if there is “further deterioration in the power system,” load shedding may be required to be implemented earlier.

Eskom said the load shedding was due to a failure of a generation unit each at Kusile, Medupi and Arnot power stations, as well as a delay of a unit returning to service at Tutuka power station.

There was a reported failure of the coal conveyors at Medupi which led to reduced output at the station. Eskom said that this has since been rectified, but would “take some time to recover the full operations.”

According to Eskom, these constraints, together with higher demand on Friday and Saturday, have resulted in “extensive usage of emergency generation reserves.”

“Total breakdowns have increased to 14 727MW while planned maintenance is 6 711MW of capacity as we continue with the reliability maintenance,” it said.

Eskom has urged all South Africans to help reduce the usage of electricity by switching off non-essential items.