Cape Town – Eskom said on Saturday it will implement stage 2 load shedding from 08:00.
It said the power system is currently constrained and under pressure because of a shortage of generating capacity as some of its power stations’ units are currently on maintenance.
Constrained diesel supply as a result of diesel pipeline transfer problems from PetroSA at Gourikwa Power Station, one of two open cycle gas turbines, has affected our available capacity to meet the increased demand in electricity.
As a result Eskom will implement stage 2 load shedding from 08:00 which is likely to continue until 22:00 on Saturday night. The day will also be utilised to build reserves for the coming week.
Eskom would like to assure customers that load shedding is implemented as a necessary measure to protect the power system and to ensure that maintenance is carried out in order to guarantee that our supply of electricity can be maintained in the long term.
Any unexpected changes on the vulnerable and constrained power system could lead to a change in the load shedding stage at short notice.
It also urged electricity users to consider energy efficient ways of keeping warm in the cold weather.