Loadshedding in South Africa power cuts
Loadshedding, South Africa (power cuts). Photo: iStockPhoto

Home » Stage 4 Loadshedding Kicks in as Emergency Reserves Almost Run Out

Stage 4 Loadshedding Kicks in as Emergency Reserves Almost Run Out

Eskom announced just before midday on Sunday, that at noon it would be implementing Stage 4 loadshedding… through until 05:00 on Monday and for the following couple of days, due to breakdowns of several generating units. Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Monday until 16:00, thereafter increasing to Stage 4 until 05:00 […]

By SAPeople
23-10-22 13:21
in Business
Loadshedding in South Africa power cuts
Loadshedding, South Africa (power cuts). Photo: iStockPhoto

Eskom announced just before midday on Sunday, that at noon it would be implementing Stage 4 loadshedding… through until 05:00 on Monday and for the following couple of days, due to breakdowns of several generating units.

  • Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Monday until 16:00, thereafter increasing to Stage 4 until 05:00 on Tuesday morning;
  • Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Tuesday until 16:00, thereafter increasing to Stage 4 until 05:00 on Wednesday morning.

Eskom said the emergency generation reserves are “almost depleted, both the diesel and pumped storage dam levels. The higher loadshedding stages are required to help build up the emergency generation reserves during the week.”

Loadshedding-schedule-23-28-October-2022
Supplied by Eskom, subject to change.

The battling power utility explained that generation capacity shortages were exacerbated during the weekend by the breakdown of a generating unit each at Duvha, Kriel and Medupi power stations, as well as the delayed returns of a generating unit each at Camden, Kusile, Komati, and Kendal power stations. This, they say, has forced the escalation of loadshedding.

Eskom teams have returned a generating unit each at Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba, Matla and Tutuka power stations to service.

“We currently have 6 004MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 961MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns,” said Eskom.

At this stage it appears even Capetonians will face Stage 4 until tomorrow morning. Updates are expected. Usually the City of Cape Town is able to protect its residents from the heavy loadshedding (delivering lower stages) in the rest of the country, thanks to its use of the Steenbras Dam hydro station. As explained in a recent Carte Blanche episode, the power plant acts like a massive battery that is charged up to be used at peak period, providing 180MW more power into the city’s grid. A lifeline, for the Mother City. You can watch Carte Blanche if you live abroad in most countries by streaming it on Showmax International.

And on a ‘lighter’ note:

Tags: Eskom load shedding loadshedding Stage 4