Eskom regrets that owing to a shortage of capacity and a higher demand of about 2000 MW for electricity, Stage 2 rotational loadshedding will continue tomorrow until Friday. There is also a high probability of loadshedding during the weekend.  Eskom will communicate regularly over this period.

Eskom also wishes to remind South Africans that there is an increased possibility of loadshedding over the next 18 months as Eskom is conducting critical maintenance to restore its ageing plant to good health. Consumers can assist the country in reducing the probability of loadshedding by using electricity sparingly.

“We don’t take the decision to implement loadshedding lightly, but the reality is that our generating infrastructure is constrained and unreliable,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive André de Ruyter. “It is regrettable for us to have to implement loadshedding, but it is unavoidable given the state of the generation infrastructure, as well as unusually high demand. Loadshedding is necessary to protect the power system as we conduct critical maintenance and to replenish emergency reserves.

As we continue to replenish the emergency reserves at our pumped storage schemes and open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), we will continue to explore the possibility of providing loadshedding respite during the morning traffic rush hours in the week.

Customers are advised that any additional shifts on the system may require a change in the loadshedding stage. We therefore request customers to use electricity sparingly and to reduce demand in order to get through this period of loadshedding. Eskom will communicate regularly during this period.

We remind customers that suspending loadshedding during the peak hour traffic is a pilot meant to help minimise the impact of loadshedding on the commuting public, and is contingent on the availability of generating capacity and the use of emergency generating units. As this is not possible every day, it will be confirmed each day, dependent on the risk based on the available capacity and emergency reserves on the day.

Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 11 897MW as at 17:00 this afternoon. Critical maintenance is being done on units that are currently on planned outages as well as some of those on unplanned outages to ensure timeous return to service.  

To assist us in reducing the stage of loadshedding, we appeal to customers to continue to use electricity sparingly: 

• Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC 

• Switch off your geysers over peak periods 

• Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time 

• Set your swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time

• At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch.

We appeal to customers to revisit their loadshedding schedules on the Eskom (https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za) or local municipal websites, depending on their electricity supplier, to review amendments.

Issued by Eskom