Eskom has announced that Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented until further notice.

According to Eskom's Media Desk, eight power-generating units tripped on Sunday afternoon, taking the amount of power unavailable due to breakdowns to over 21 000 MW.

The utility says a generating unit each at Arnot, Hendrina, Lethabo and Majuba, and two units at Camden Power Station have suffered breakdowns and been taken offline for repairs.

Further, two generating units at the Lethabo Power Station were shut down due to coal constraints. The New Vaal Mine that supplies the station has been unable to deliver the expected amount of coal during the past week because of the heavy rains. The three running units are operating at minimum capacity and are at risk of shutdown should the coal supply constraints not be resolved.

Given the high number of breakdowns, there is a possibility of further changes on the stages of loadshedding at short notice. A further update will be published as soon as any significant changes occur.

Breakdowns currently amount to 21 243 MW of generating capacity while 3 566W of generating capacity is out of service for planned maintenance.