South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has implemented its highest stage of controlled power cuts, known as loadshedding, after multiple failures at Majuba and Camden power stations over the weekend.
The power cuts, which began on Saturday, effectively reduced 3,000 megawatts from the national grid.
Eskom’s group CEO, Dan Marokane, announced that eight units at power plants had been restored, with six units returned to operation overnight.
An additional five to six units were expected to become operational during the day, recovering 3,200 MW of capacity.
The power outages were later reduced to Stage 4 until further notice.
Eskom anticipates getting out of this stage by the end of the week, considering the pace of recovery.
The frequent breakdowns at Eskom’s ageing coal-fired plants, which provide the bulk of electricity in Africa’s most industrialized economy, are often the cause of loadshedding.
This incremental system cuts power from the grid in stages, with Stage 1 reducing 1,000 MW and Stage 6 being the highest implemented to date.
