Eskom Implements Stage 2 Load Shedding from 5pm Monday until 5am Wednesday

Eskom has announced that stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 5pm on Monday until 5am on Wednesday.

The power utility said there have been multiple generating unit failures over the past 24 hours.

Eskom’s Sikonathi Mantshantsha said load shedding is required in order to replenish the emergency generation reserves, which have been utilised significantly since the past weekend.

“A unit each at the Matla, Kendal, Matimba, Kusile and Grootvlei power stations tripped, while a unit each at Arnot and Hendrina power stations were forced shut down. This, in addition to other units that had tripped during the weekend, reduced available generation capacity, forcing Eskom to rely heavily on emergency generation reserves to keep the lights on.”

Mantshantsha said Medupi Unit 3 also broke down, necessitating load shedding to be extended.

Mantshantsha said while Eskom expects some generation units to return to service over the next 24 hours, he has appealed to all South Africans to help limit the impact of load shedding by reducing the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items.