Eskom has had to implement stage four load shedding due to capacity constraints at some of its power stations. The announcement was made that the load shedding would take immediate effect. However, it has also stated that it will reduce the load shedding to stage three on Saturday morning.
Over the last fortnight, Eskom has successfully raised its energy availability factor, enabling the country to stay within stages one and two. As a result, the utility has been able to decrease load shedding despite certain generating units requiring maintenance and being temporarily offline.
Menzi Mngomezulu, a representative of Eskom, reported that on the last day, two generating units at Lethabo and Medupi power stations were restored to service. However, during the same timeframe, a generating unit each at Matimba, Matla, and Hendrina power stations was shut down for maintenance. Despite these setbacks, Eskom is resolute in its efforts to enhance its energy availability factor and curtail load shedding in the upcoming days.