Eskom confirms load shedding for Saturday

News24
18 Oct 2019, 23:44 GMT+10

Stage 1 load shedding will be implemented on Saturday as the power system remains "volatile", Eskom's spokesperson Dikatso Mothae has confirmed.

Mothae provided an update on the power system to Fin24 via WhatsApp on Friday.

"We will load shed at stage 1 tomorrow," she said.

The load shedding status for Sunday will only be confirmed on Saturday. "[The] system is still volatile," Mothae added.

Crucially, South African rugby enthusiasts are hoping for power on Sunday, when South Africa takes on Japan in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final just after midday.

The latest developments are in contrast to what acting CEO Jabu Mabuza told media at a briefing on Thursday evening - Eskom had not expected load shedding for the weekend. Furthermore, Mabuza said only stage 1 load shedding would be implemented on Friday.

Find your load shedding schedule here

But early on Friday morning, Eskom issued a notice that load shedding would be escalated to stage 2, after additional capacity was lost at Medupi power station in Lephalale, Limpopo, Fin24 previously reported.

"Late last night, we lost Medupi 3, 4 and 5 due to coal and ash handling issues," Eskom said in its statement.

How Medupi and Kusile are sinking South Africa

On Friday afternoon, however, Mothae said that unit 4 had come back online.

The power utility reintroduced load shedding on Wednesday this week due to a shortage of capacity following the failure of a conveyor belt, used to carry 4 000 tons of coal, from Exxaro's Grootgeluk Coal Mine to Medupi. Mabuza has said the conveyor belt is expected to be repaired by next Wednesday.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.

More Information

null in null

Africa

Section

KL Rahul becomes second Indian after Gavaskar to achieve unique SENA feat

Birmingham [UK], July 5 (ANI): KL Rahul continued his fine overseas run in Test cricket, becoming only the second Indian opener after...

Xinhua Headlines: China's first LEGOLAND resort opens in Shanghai

* China's first LEGOLAND resort opened on Saturday in Shanghai. * Spanning 318,000 square meters, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort is the...

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes fastest U19 ODI century, becomes youngest centurion in this age group

Worcester [UK], July 5 (ANI): India's 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi cracked the fastest century in the U19 ODI...

Sanju Samson returns to Kerala Cricket with record-breaking KCL signing

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 5 (ANI): Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson made a record-breaking return to the Kerala...

Xinhua Headlines: BRICS strengthens momentum, stability in Global South cooperation

* In recent years, BRICS has transformed into a major force fostering cooperation among Global South nations. This collaboration not...

Agustin Ramirez, Marlins look to resume torrid pace vs. Brewers

(Photo credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images) Catcher Agustin Ramirez, who entered this weekend leading all major-league rookies with...

World

Section