Eskom has announced that it will implement Stage 2 load shedding from 5pm to 10pm this evening.

This after the power utility lost generation units at the Majuba and Medupi power stations today.

Eskom said, however, that it expects more units to return to service overnight.

“Three generation units are expected to return to service by this evening which will ramp up through the night.

“Eskom will continue to closely monitor the system, adjust and communicate any changes as may be necessary. We appeal to all South Africans to help limit the impact of the shortages by continuing to reduce the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items,” it said.

The power utility had suspended load shedding on Sunday morning after what it called a “marginal improvement in the generation capacity”.

By Monday afternoon, the power utility was facing a shortage of at least 15 847MW in generation capacity due to breakdowns with a further 2246MW out on planned maintenance.

“Eskom cautions the public that as the shortage of generation capacity persists, the system will continue to be constrained with an elevated risk of load shedding over the coming weeks.

“We would like to remind the public that load shedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly especially between 5am [and] 9am in the mornings and 4pm to 10pm in the evenings,” Eskom said.

Source: South African Government News Agency