Eskom Breakdowns Push Load Shedding Even Higher This Weekend

South Africa is facing a very tough winter as the embattled power utility Eskom announced the implementation of Stage 5 load shedding until further notice. This follows the failure of five generating units, three from Medupi Power Station and two from Duvha Power Station. This weekend’s schedule has been changed, causing more power outages for the country.

Eskom’s statement noted that three of the operational units were returned to service, but the power utility had to rely extensively on emergency reserves. Eskom requires time to replenish these reserves until Monday. The power utility will release additional updates as soon as significant changes occur.

National Rationalised Specifications (NRS) is finalizing the revision of South Africa’s load shedding guidelines, bringing stage 8 load shedding closer to reality. NRS helps develop and compile the regulations that govern load shedding.

Key points:

• Eskom has implemented Stage 5 load shedding until further notice.

• Three generating units from Medupi Power Station and two from Duvha Power Station have failed, pushing the power outages even higher.

• Eskom has now had to rely extensively on emergency reserves, which also need to be replenished by Monday.

• National Rationalised Specifications (NRS) is finalizing the revision of South Africa’s load shedding guidelines, potentially bringing stage 8 load shedding closer.