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As communicated in the power alert issued last night, Eskom is implementing Stage 2 rotational loadshedding until 23:00 tonight as a result of a shortage of capacity. Eskom will communicate if there is a change in the system during the day.

Loadshedding has been reduced to stage 2 as we have made good progress in the system recovery largely as a result of several units being returned to service and the recovery from localised flooding at our power stations. Breakdowns (UCLF) are at 13 302MW as at 04:36 this morning. We continue to use diesel for our open cycle gas turbines and water at pumped storage schemes to supplement capacity.

As the generating plant continues to perform at low levels of reliability, any unexpected shift such as an increase in unplanned breakdowns could result in a change in the loadshedding stage at short notice. The probability for loadshedding remains high for the rest of the week.  The Emergency Response Command Centre continues to monitor the situation and the focus is to reduce unplanned breakdowns to below 9 500MW to enable us to minimise and to stop loadshedding in the following week.

We remind customers that loadshedding regardless of the stage, is no cause for alarm as the system is being effectively controlled. Loadshedding is a responsible act and highly controlled process, implemented to protect the country from 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