The cold weather and failure of two generating units have forced Eskom to implement stage 6 load-shedding an hour earlier than anticipated on Monday.
The ailing utility on Sunday had announced alternating stages 4 and 6 in the morning during the week “until further notice”.
Stage 4 load-shedding was meant to be in place at 5am-4pm daily and stage 6 at 4pm-5am.
But on Monday afternoon, Eskom changed its tune, with acting spokesperson Daphne Mokwena announcing power cuts would be ramped up to stage 6 due to the demand of electricity being higher than expected because of the cold weather.
“In addition, the failure of two generating units, one of which has since returned to service, requires that stage 6 load-shedding be implemented at 3pm (previously communicated as 4pm).
“Eskom will communicate another update as soon as any significant changes occur. We appeal that non-essential appliances be switched off.”
Mokwena confirmed load-shedding would be reduced to stage 4 on Tuesday morning.
TimesLIVE
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