By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Power utility Eskom has announced that stage 2 of load shedding will remain in place until Monday morning at 05:00.
Power cuts will then be suspended until 16:00, followed by stage 2 of load shedding.
Stage 2 will then be implemented daily between 05:00 and 16:00 for the week.
Eskom announced that this daily pattern will remain in place until further notice, as it attempts to replenish its emergency reserves and maintain generation capacity.
“Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load shedding should it be required,” it said in a statement.
Unplanned outages have reduced to 13,350MW, while the capacity out for planned maintenance is at 8,476MW.
The embattled power utility added that an anticipated 3,300MW of generating capacity is expected to be returned to service by Monday.
Eskom’s evening peak demand for tonight is 24,979MW.
For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.
Smartphone users can also download the app EskomSePush to receive push notifications when load shedding is implemented, as well as the times the area you are in will be off.
Meanwhile City Power says Lenasia South and surrounding areas have been plunged into darkness by a fire at the Lunar substation.
The substation caught alight on Saturday evening.
Affected areas include Lenasia South, Migson Manor, Finetown and Mountain View, while supply has subsequently been restored to customers in Ennerdale.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said most of the substation’s equipment has been damaged.
“Preliminary reports attribute the explosion to multiple burnt cables. A further investigation will be conducted and repairs to ensure that supply is restored to the remaining areas will be effected.