Eskom load shedding update: Friday 27 March

There is a high possibility of rolling blackouts on Friday, Eskom said on its Twitter account.

“The load shedding prognosis today [Friday] remains high and is dependent on the performance of the power plant,” the power utility tweeted.

Eskom implemented stage two rolling blackouts on Wednesday and Thursday.

During stage one blackouts 1000MW of the national load is cut and 2000MW during stage two.

In recent months, Eskom has battled to keep the lights on since the collapse of one of its coal storage silos, diesel shortages, and maintenance issues.

Because of these constraints Eskom will ask for a review of the tariff increases for the 2015/16 financial year.

The National Energy Regulator of SA has confirmed Eskom is applying to reopen the multi-year price determination, allowing for a further tariff hikes.

Two weeks ago, Eskom chief executive Tshediso Matona, finance director Tsholofelo Molefe, group capital executive Dan Morokane, and commercial and technology executive Matshela Koko were asked to step aside as the power utility embarked on a fact-finding inquiry.

On Wednesday, workers at Medupi power station in Lephalale, Limpopo, went on a strike for better working conditions.

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