Eskom has announced that Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 – 22:00 tonight.

Thereafter Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented daily between 05:00 – 22:00 until Saturday night.

The power utility says the load-shedding has been caused by a shortage of generation capacity owing to breakdowns and delays in returning some generating units to service.

We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly. Eskom will promptly communicate should there be any significant changes.

The breakdown of a generation unit at Arnot, Duvha, Kendal, Medupi and Tutuka power stations, as well as the delays in returning to service a unit to service at Hendrina Power Station, have exacerbated the capacity constraints.

On Saturday morning, 03 September 2022, Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station also tripped from full power during the routine testing of the control rod system.

The process to return the unit to service is under way.

The power utility says they currently have 4 588MW out on planned maintenance, while another 16 142MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.

South Africans have already endured at least 91 days of load-shedding this year, with substantially more hours of Stage 4 load-shedding than in 2021.

There have also been several hours of Stage 5 and Stage 6 load-shedding in 2022, which never occurred during 2021. This was largely due to the Eskom worker’s strike.

More load-shedding can be expected this summer, and into 2023, and into the future!