Thursday, 30 June 2022: Eskom regrets to announce that Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 14:00 this afternoon until midnight. Stage 4 loadshedding will then be implemented at 00:00 – 05:00 on Friday. From 05:00 until 00:00 on Friday loadshedding will be implemented at Stage 6. A minimum of Stage 4 will be required continuously over the weekend. Eskom continues to evaluate the situation and closely monitor the system. We will communicate and implement any changes as may be necessary.

The high levels of staff absenteeism and intimidation of working employees in some of the power stations is still rife. This has made it difficult to conduct routine maintenance and other operational requirements, which will further impact the reliability of generation units.

Due to the unlawful and unprotected strike, which has caused widespread disruption to Eskom’s power plants, Eskom is still unable to return some generators to service. Eskom is compelled to take this unprecedented step to conserve emergency generation capacity to safeguard the power system. There remains a risk that the stage of loadshedding may have to change at any time, depending on the state of the plant.

Eskom thanks all workers who have reported for duty and who continue to perform diligently under extremely challenging conditions. Eskom also requests all union members to abide by the call from union leadership to return to work immediately.

The unlawful strike has a serious detrimental impact not only on Eskom, but also on the broader South African public and economy. Union members, who work in a designated essential service, have a legal and moral obligation to return to work in order safeguard South Africa from further loadshedding.

We currently have 3 161MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 467MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.

Eskom would like to remind the public that loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly especially during these uncertain times on the power system.

ENDS