Load shedding sticking around for longer

Power utility Eskom says that stage 4 load shedding will continue until Tuesday morning, and then be downgraded to stage 2 – with no end date yet announced.

Stage 4 load shedding will continue to be implemented until 05h00 on Tuesday. Thereafter, load shedding will be reduced to Stage 2 until further notice.

This decision follows the successful recovery of eight out of ten generation units and the restoration of 3,808 MW from units that tripped over the weekend, with an additional 1,146MW expected to be recovered overnight.

Eskom said that while the recovery of the emergency reserves is progressing well, further replenishment is required to reach sufficient levels.

“Currently, unplanned outages are at 13,690MW, which is 690MW higher than our summer outlook base case of 13,000MW,” Eskom said.

Ongoing planned maintenance stands at 7,245MW.

Eskom said that the high levels of maintenance are in alignment with the group’s summer period maintenance strategy.

Maintenance is happening at increased levels to prepare for winter and meet licence and regulatory requirements.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa warned that as long as maintenance levels remain high, the risk of load shedding triggering upon “setbacks” will be ever-present.

However, the maintenance is required to ensure future grid stability and won’t be compromised on.

Eskom will provide the next update on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, or as soon as any significant changes occur.