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

Power utility Eskom says that load shedding will be eased over the weekend as it switches up the schedule.

As previously communicated, Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 16h00 on Friday until 05h00 on Saturday.

Thereafter, load shedding will be suspended from 05h00 on Saturday until 16h00, followed by Stage 1 load shedding until 05h00 on Sunday.

The load shedding pattern implemented on Saturday will be repeated on Sunday.

Friday, 15 March

• Stage 3: 16h00 to 00h00

Saturday, 16 March

• Stage 3: 00h00 to 05h00
• Suspended: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 1: 16h00 to 00h00

Sunday, 17 March

• Stage 1: 00h00 to 05h00
• Suspended: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 1: 16h00 to 00h00

The group said that the eased schedule is a result of the anticipated lower weekend demand.

“Eskom will provide an update for the week ahead on Sunday afternoon and will communicate should the need arise,” it said.

The group noted that a total of 3,100MW of generating capacity is planned to be returned by Monday.

The evening peak forecast for tonight is 25 848MW. Unplanned outages are at 14,144MW, and planned maintenance is at 7,674MW of generation capacity.

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: Eskom faces a Medupi and Kusile-sized problem before it can end load shedding in South Africa