Eskom has implemented stage four load shedding until 10 tonight. Stage 2 will then continue until 10 pm for the rest of the week.

The power utility says this is due to additional breakdowns at the Medupi Power Station and Duvha – coupled with the high winter demand.

In the video below is Energy Expert Ted Blom

Eskom spokesperson, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, says capacity constraints will continue for the foreseeable future and he has urged the public to reduce their daily electricity usage.

Earlier this week, Eskom warned that the likelihood of load shedding remained high for the rest of the week as the power system remains constrained and vulnerable.

Eskom has again called on South Africans to reduce their electricity usage.

In the video below Eskom’s spokesperson, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, discusses stage 2 load shedding

Understanding Eskom Load Shedding Stages

Eskom says that load shedding will be used under emergency conditions for limited periods.

According to the Power utility four schedules have been developed based on the possibility of risk and to ensure that load shedding is applied in a fair and equitable manner:

  • Stage 1 allows for up to 1000 MW of the national load to be shed.
  • Stage 2 allows for up to 2000 MW of the national load to be shed.
  • Stage 3 allows for up to 3000 MW of the national load to be shed.
  • Stage 4 allows for up to 4000 MW of the national load to be shed.

Load shedding will be implemented in most instances in 2-hour blocks.

  • However, in Eskom-supplied Johannesburg areas, blocks are 4 hours long. This is to coincide with City Power’s 4 hour schedule.

Each of the time periods has an additional 30 minutes added to allow for switching of networks in a way that will not damage the power system.

  • Most customers (those in 2 hour blocks) may therefore be without electricity for up to 2.5 hours at a time, while customers in 4 hour blocks may be without electricity for up to 4.5 hours at a time.

Eskom will begin load shedding customers at the start of the period (for example from 06:00) and will have all scheduled customers switched off within the first half-hour (that is, by 06:30)

At the end of the period, after the two / four hours (that is, by 08:00 or 10:00 as applicable), Eskom will start returning power to customers and should have them all back within half an hour (that is, by 08:30 or 10:30).

The frequency of load shedding increases as higher Stages are used

  • Stage 1 requires the least amount of load shedding, 3 times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or 3 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.
  • Stage 2 will double the frequency of Stage 1, which means you will be scheduled for load shedding 6 times over a four day period for two hours at a time, or 6 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time Stage 3 will increase the frequency of Stage 2 by 50%, which means you will be scheduled for load shedding 9 times over a four day period for two hours at a time, or 9 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.
  • Stage 4 will double the frequency of Stage 2, which means you will be scheduled for load shedding 12 times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or 12 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.

Eskom says if more load needs to be shed than has been scheduled in Stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 then National Control will instruct additional, unscheduled load shedding. This means you may be shed outside of your scheduled times.

The actual stage in use at the time will be displayed on the main Eskom website and on the home page of the Load Shedding Website, as well as on the MyEskom App.

*Load Shedding stages can be found at Eskom’s website.