Eskom ramps up load shedding – here’s the updated schedule

Power utility Eskom says load shedding will be implemented at stage 2 during the day and stage 3 in the evenings.

“Due to the loss of three generating units and the delay in returning a further three generating units to service, stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Wednesday.

“Thereafter, stage 2 load shedding will be implemented until 16:00,” it said.

Eskom noted this alternating pattern of stage 2 load shedding from 05:00 until 16:00, and stage 3 load shedding from 16:00 until 05:00 will be repeated daily until further notice.

The updated schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, 12 March

• Stage 3: 16h00 to 00h00

Wednesday, 13 March

• Stage 3: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage2: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 3: 16h00 to 00h00

Thursday, 14 March

• Stage 3: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage2: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 3: 16h00 until further notice

Eskom said it would closely monitor the power system and provide an update should any significant changes occur.

Unplanned outages account for 15,611 MW of generating capacity, while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5,487 MW.

“Eskom Power Station General Managers and their teams continue to work diligently to ensure that additional generating capacity is recovered by bringing units on unplanned outages and planned maintenance back to service,” the utility said.

A total of 2,190 MW of generating capacity is anticipated to return to service by Thursday. Eskom’s evening peak demand tonight is 26,700 MW.

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.

Read: South Africa’s biggest retailer eats R500 million load shedding bill as sales and profits soar