Blackouts escalated to Stage 4

JOHANNESBURG - Eskom has implemented Stage 4 power cuts are underway until further notice. 

The utility says the increase in power cuts is due to breakdowns amounting to more than 17,000 megawatts.

READ: Eskom should recruit former employees, says board chair

It also blames low pumped storage dam levels and a lack of diesel.

Eskom announced earlier this week it will embark on a major maintenance project which will see capacity unavailable for a number of months.

#LoadsheddingUpdate#Stage4 load shedding was implemented at 05:26 this morning until further notice. Breakdowns amounting to 17 056MW of generation capacity, low pumped storage dam levels and lack of diesel are the reasons for the increase in loadshedding.

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) November 18, 2022

#POWERALERT1

Stage 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until further notice. Changes in the stages
of loadshedding will be more erratic pic.twitter.com/b2AetH54Kt

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) November 18, 2022