Eskom
South Africans will be experiencing intensified loadshedding schedules as the embattled power utility Eskom announced a move to Stage 4 from Stage 2 loadshedding starting today until early Saturday morning. The nation groans under the weight of the ongoing electricity crisis, with Eskom battling to stabilize the grid.
“As previously communicated, Stage 2 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until 8pm today,” the power provider stated, signalling that the disruptions that have hindered both businesses and residential consumers are far from over.
Eskom’s recent statement outlines a planned escalation in loadshedding tactics, “Thereafter, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented until 05:00 on Saturday in order to replenish emergency reserves.”
Citizens are poised for a brief hiatus from the power cuts with Eskom announcing a suspension of loadshedding for Saturday morning through to the late afternoon. “Loadshedding will then be suspended from 05:00 on Saturday until 16:00, followed by Stage 2 loadshedding until 05:00 on Sunday, when loadshedding will be suspended again until 16:00,” the statement from Eskom elaborated.
The country is set to resume a Stage 1 loadshedding schedule commencing from 16:00 on Sunday and continuing indefinitely as the utility battles with a strained grid. Eskom attributes the potential reduction of loadshedding levels to “the anticipated lower weekend electricity demand and the expected return of 1,500 MW generation capacity by Sunday.”
As households and businesses prepare for the evening, Eskom forecasts tonight’s peak demand at 26,027MW, highlighting the challenges facing the national power system.
In a glimmer of hope for more reliable updates on the electricity situation, Eskom committed to providing the country with more information in the coming days. “Eskom will publish a further update on Sunday afternoon, or as soon as there are any significant changes,” the statement concluded.
