Eskom issued a statement on Sunday confirming the return of loadshedding on Sunday.
UPDATE: Monday 16 May 2022
Eskom issued a statement on Monday confirming loadshedding has been escalated to Stage 4 due to the loss of a 720MW-generating unit at Kusile power station.
“While this unit has since returned to service, it will slowly load up to full capacity during the night,” the statement read.
The added loss of capacity, Eskom added, meant that loadshedding will have to be escalated to Stage 4 from 17:00 until 22:00 on Monday.
Here is the full statement:
#POWERALERT1
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) May 16, 2022
Due to a further loss of generating capacity, loadshedding will be increased to Stage 4 from
17:00 – 22:00 tonight. pic.twitter.com/yEwGa2Rvch
Loadshedding from Sunday: Here’s what you must know
The power utility revealed rotational power outages will commence from 17:00 until 22:00 on Sunday, due to “a further loss of generating capacity.”
This follows a trend witnessed this past week where rotational outages were implemented during winter peak periods in the evening.
“Since yesterday (Saturday) evening, breakdowns occurred on a unit each at Tutuka, Camden and Majuba power stations,” the statement read.
While a unit each was returned to the power grid on Sunday morning, there still isn’t enough output to meet the country’s need for electricity.
“We currently have 2 094MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 640MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns,” Eskom revealed.
Power cuts forecast for the rest of this week
South Africans will get some relief from outages after 22:00 on Sunday. But, according to Eskom, loadshedding will be escalated to Stage 3 between Monday and Tuesday 17 May 2022.
At Stage 3, Eskom sheds up to 3 000MW of power from the grid for two-to-four hour periods at least three times in one day.
The escalated power cut level is often implemented as a means to reduce the usage of emergency reserves.
From Wednesday 18 May 2022, the power utility confirmed, “loadshedding will be reduced to Stage 2 for the rest of this week.”
“Eskom will continue to closely monitor the system, adjust and communicate any changes as may be necessary,” the statement read.