Cape Town – South African power utility Eskom says stage 6 load shedding will be implemented continuously until further notice due to the breakdown of eight generation units and heavy rains.
Eskom also revealed that further stages of load shedding could be implemented at short notice, should coal supply constraints not be resolved.
On Sunday afternoon a generating unit each at Arnot, Hendrina, Lethabo and Majuba, two units at Camden power station suffered breakdowns and were taken offline for repairs, said the power utility.
“Two generating units at the Lethabo power station were shut down due to coal constraints as the New Vaal Mine supplying the station has been unable to deliver the expected amount of coal during the past week because of the heavy rains,” said Eskom.
Due to the breakdowns of eight generation units on Sunday afternoon, Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented continuously until further notice. pic.twitter.com/57F78z93IO
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) February 19, 2023
The power utility said three running units were operating at minimum capacity and were at “risk of shutdown should coal supply constraints not be resolved, adding that there is a possibility of further changes in the stages of load shedding at short notice”.
However, an update would be published as soon as significant changes occurred, Eskom said.
“Breakdowns amount to 21 243MW of generating capacity and 3 566MW of generating capacity is out of service for planned maintenance.”
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
