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

2 years ago 1

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Power utility Eskom says that load shedding should be reduced this weekend due to lower demand.

The group plans to reduce load shedding to stage 3 on Saturday, and stage 4 on Sunday. Notably, the group’s previous weekend schedule was unable to be met due to the volatility of the grid, so South Africans are cautioned to expect changes at short notice.

The current plan is to maintain stage 6 load shedding until 05h00 on Saturday, scaling down to stage 3, and then escalating back to stage 5. Sunday will see the schedule move from stage 5 to stage 4 and back to stage 6.

The planned schedule is as follows:

Friday, 12 May

Stage 6: until 00h00

Saturday, 13 May

Stage 6: 00h00 to 05h00
Stage 3: 05h00 to 16h00
Stage 5: 16h00 to 00h00

Sunday, 14 May

Stage 5: 00h00 to 05h00
Stage 4: 05h00 to 16h00
Stage 6: 16h00 to 00h00

Monday, 15 May

Stage 6: 00h00 to 05h00
Stage 4: 05h00 to 16h00
Stage 5: 16h00 to 00h00

Eskom said it will publish another update as soon as any significant changes occur.

Breakdowns are currently at 18.713MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3,222MW.

During the last 24 hours, a generating unit each at Hendrina, Kriel and Lethabo power stations have returned to service.

In the same period, a generation unit each at Kendal, Kriel, Medupi and Tutuka power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns. In addition, the delay in returning units to service at Arnot, Kendal and Matla power stations continue to add to the current capacity constraints.

“The team is working around the clock to ensure that generating units are returned to service as soon as possible,” Eskom said.

Schedules

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

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: Get ready for 16 stages of load shedding