MZANSI can brace itself for a dark weekend.
This is after Eskom announced that it has increased load shedding to stage 6 from 12pm on Friday, 24 November until 5am on Monday, 27 November.
Eskom spokeswoman Daphne Mokoena said this is due to the loss of five power generating units over the past 24 hours resulting in a shortage of generation capacity, as well as the need to replenish their emergency reserves.
She said Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load shedding, should it be required.
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“Unplanned outages are currently at 15 901MW of generating capacity, while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 822MW. Eskom teams are working tirelessly to ensure that this additional generating units are returned to service as soon as possible.
“Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 27 206MW,” she said.
She also mentioned that the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa joined by the Eskom executives, will this afternoon brief the media following the implementation of stage 6 load shedding.
“We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 5pm and 9pm, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of loadshedding,” said Mokoena.
