Eskom to suspend load shedding this weekend – here’s the new schedule

Breakdowns are currently at 14 256MW of generating capacity while 4 765MW of generating capacity is out of service for planned maintenance.

The lower expected weekend demand has allowed Eskom to reduce the required stages of load shedding and suspend where possible.

During the last 24 hours, a generating unit each at Camden and two units at Hendrina power stations were taken offline for repairs.

The easing of load shedding comes after the group’s power stations showed slow but notable improvements over the past week. The group reduced load shedding to stage 3 on Wednesday after a sizeable stint at higher stages.

At the start of the week, load shedding alternated between stage 3 during the day and stage 4 in the evenings.

The embattled company reported on Thursday (16 March) that six of its coal-fired power stations achieved an energy availability factor of 70% this week – a milestone last achieved in May 2022.

“Three of these power stations, Camden, Duvha and Matla, have been on a sustained upward trend as a result of a reduction of plant breakdowns and the return to service of a number of units that were on unplanned breakdowns,” the group said.

Eskom said that Lethabo, Matimba and Medupi have also been showcasing positive performance.

Board chairperson Mpho Makwana said the improved performance is rooted in the company’s ‘all-hands-on-deck-approach’, adding that it will continue to improve the national energy availability.

Despite lower stages of load shedding for the weekend ahead, Eskom’s fleet remains under pressure and its systems are constrained and unpredictable. As has been the case many times in the past, the situation can change at short notice.

South Africa has experienced near-permanent load shedding since September 2022. Since October 2022, the country has had 138 consecutive days of blackouts – including every single day of 2023 so far.

Schedules 

For people living in the major metros, load shedding schedules are available here:

• City of Johannesburg
• City of Ekurhuleni 
• City of Tshwane 
• City of Cape Town (PDF)
• Nelson Mandela Bay
• eThekwini
• Manguang
• Buffalo City

For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.

Smartphone users can also download the app EskomSePush to receive push notifications when load shedding is implemented, as well as the times the area you are in will be off.

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