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As stated in the power alert issued last night, Stage 2 rotational loadshedding is currently being implemented until 23:00 tonight as a result of a shortage of capacity, with a number of generating units still out of service due to breakdowns. Loadshedding is required all day today to cater for further trips and to create capacity to replenish water reserves for our pumped storage schemes. Eskom will communicate if there is a change in the system during the day.

With the incessant rains we are beginning to experience flooding at some power stations, which is impacting coal handling and operations which could further lead to capacity load losses and impact supply as the rainy weather persists. While not expected or planned, further deterioration of plant performance or emergence of other risks may necessitate invoking further stages of loadshedding. With unplanned breakdowns at 12 465MW as at 06:00 today, we continue to utilise diesel and water at our open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) and pumped storage schemes respectively, in order to supplement capacity. At this stage there is a high probability of loadshedding until the end of the week. We remind customers that loadshedding is a responsible act to prevent a national blackout.

We continue to ask customers to reduce demand as a concerted collective effort can help to avoid or lessen the level of loadshedding. As we are experiencing rainy and cooler weather conditions in some parts of the country, we ask that you use efficient heating to keep warm and switch off your geysers over peak periods.

We will keep South Africans informed about the status of the electricity system and our recovery efforts throughout this period.

Eskom customers can check their loadshedding schedules on the Eskom website (loadshedding.eskom.co.za) or through the customer contact centre on 0860037566.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience during this difficult period.

Issued by Eskom