The embattled power supplier, Eskom has issued a stern warning that due to constraints hampering the power utility could be forced to escalate load shedding to Stage 6 this evening.
Eskom said, this is due to a significant deterioration of its operations overnight.
State-owned entity further warned residents that, South Africa could embrace themselves for dark days ahead, as Eskom has lost over 14,204 MW of capacity.
In a statement, it announced that generating units went offline overnight, representing over 6,000MW of capacity.
It is also seeing associated load losses of 3,661MW due to the unavailability of coal and labour.
Another 3,218MW of capacity is offline due to scheduled maintenance.
Medupi and Tutuka power stations lost three generating units each, while Kriel, Kusile, Kendal, and Duvha each lost one.
“This situation creates substantial risk,” said Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter said.
He further said, Eskom plans to return 3,400MW to service by 17:00 this afternoon.
“If we get all of that back… there is a possibility that we may avert Stage 6,” he said.
“We are communicating proactively with the South African public so they can plan accordingly,” said De Ruyter.
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