Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm and Tuesday evening until 5am, Eskom said on Monday.

Stage two load shedding will then kick off between 5am and 4pm on Tuesday.

“The higher stage of load shedding is mainly due to high levels of breakdowns as well as the depleted emergency generation reserves.

“Load shedding is implemented only as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns,” an Eskom statement read.

The power utility currently has 16 992MW of capacity unavailable due to breakdowns with a further 4177MW off due to maintenance.

“Since Sunday morning, a generating unit each at Duvha, Kriel and Tutuka power stations were taken offline for repairs while the delay in returning to service a unit each at Duvha and Majuba power stations have contributed to the delays.

“A generating unit each at Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba, Matla and Medupi power stations were returned to service.”

The power utility said it will give a “further outlook” at a media briefing tomorrow.

Source: South African Government News Agency