What was initially announced as stage 2 loadshedding was quickly upgraded to stage 4 rotational power cuts by Eskom.
Stage 4 loadshedding: SA warned about weekend blackouts
In a statement released earlier on Friday, the national power supplier had revealed that a number of delays were encountered in trying to return units at Lethabo and Majuba power stations to service.
Eskom further explained that this was further exacerbated by a unit that tripped at the Tutuka power plant.
“We unfortunately do expect the load shedding stage to escalate into the weekend but this can only be confirmed once we have a better understanding of these problems and when it is likely to be resolved,” the power utility warned.
Shortly before 14:00, Eskom escalated matters and increased the scale of rotational blackouts to stage 4, citing the shut down of three generating units at Kendal power station and further problems at Tutuka, Matimba, Majuba and Lethabo as reasons behind the decision.
“Stage 4 loadshedding is necessary to stop the use of OCGT (open-cycle gas turbines) generators in order to preserve the remaining fuel at these power stations, which is critically low. There is insufficient diesel available in the country to continue generating with the OCGTs at the current rate.
“It is anticipated that some generating units will return to service later today (Friday) and overnight allowing a reduction to Stage 2 loadshedding for the remainder of the weekend,” the power utility explained.
Under this renewed schedule, South Africa will remain on stage 4 until 05:00 on Saturday 6 November. Thereafter, the blackouts will be reduced to stage 2 but remain for the rest of the weekend.
City of Cape Town could delay stage 4
While the rest of South Africa has been placed on rotational power cuts at stage 4, the City of Cape Town has capacity to delay increased blackouts until 22:00, thanks to the Steenbras Pumped Storage plant.
The hydro-electric pumped power station is the first of its kind in Africa and in 2019, it was refurbished to provide auxiliary support when needed most.
Using the hydro-electric pumped power plant, residents connected to the City’s grid experience a lower stage of loadshedding, where possible.
Therefore, residents of the City of Cape Town will, from 14:00, go into stage 2 loadshedding until 18:00. Thereafter, the City will go into stage 3 until 22:00 and join the rest of South Africa at stage 4 from 22:00 until 05:00 the next day.
Due to the Eskom emergency and Eskom just declaring Stage 4 load-shedding from 14:00, the City’s generation plan and schedule has been updated.
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) November 5, 2021
5 November:
Stage 2 from 14:00 until 18:00
Stage 3 from 18:00 until 22:00
Stage 4 from 22:00 to 05:00, 6 November
Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/TyzKG0q6kx