The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa provided an update on the status of South Africa's electricity generation performance during a media briefing.

BACK TO REGULAR PROGRAMMING

This briefing follows an announcement by the power utility that it had implemented Stage 6 load shedding.

"Eskom regrets to announce that Stage 6 load shedding was implemented at 1:30am due to multiple unit trips at Camden Power Station and will continue until further notice.This measure followed the implementation of Stage 3, necessitated by multiple unit trips at Majuba Power Station and a unit trip at Medupi that resulted in a loss of 3 864 MW in generation capacity, while planned maintenance accounted for 7 506 MW," Eskom said.

Ramokgopa said said Stage 6 load shedding was necessary to replenish emergency reserves and prepare for the week ahead.

"Following over 20 days of uninterrupted electricity supply, Eskom has encountered another temporary setback."

NOT DROPPING THE BALL

Ramokgopa said he's aware that the return of loadshedding makes it seem like Eskom is failing but that is not the case.

"We will resolve this problem. By the end of the week we will be out of this. We  are aware the return of stage 6 loadshedding makes Eskom appear to be dropping the ball. We regret this setback but there is no sabotage."