Eskom downgrades power cuts to stage 2, says emergency reserves require further replenishment

JOHANNESBURG - With stage 2 load shedding in full effect, Eskom said that the country was not out of the woods yet despite its emergency reserves improved recovery.

The power utility downgraded power cuts from stage four to stage two on Tuesday morning, citing the successful recovery of eight out of ten generation units.

It said that while over 3,000 megawatts were restored from units that tripped over the weekend, it expected additional recovery overnight.

The utility said that further replenishment of its emergency reserves was required to reach sufficient levels.
 
"Currently, unplanned outages are at 13,690MW, which is 690MW higher than our summer outlook base case of 13,000MW. Ongoing planned maintenance stands at 7,245MW, in alignment with our summer period maintenance strategy, that is at increased levels in order to prepare for winter and meet licence and regulatory requirements."