Loadshedding will be reduced to Stage 1 from 05:00 on Wednesday and continue until 05:00 on Saturday as the power system is still severely constrained

Tuesday, 16 March 2021: Loadshedding will be reduced to Stage 1 from 05:00 on Wednesday and will continue until 05:00 on Saturday as the generation system is still severely constrained. Since Monday Eskom teams successfully returned four generation units at Kusile, Grootvlei, Kriel and Matla, as well as the Cahora Bassa line from Mozambique. However, this has not been sufficient to suspend loadshedding at this point.

During this period we have lost generation capacity at Medupi, Arnot and Komati power stations. Additionally the return to service of four other units has been delayed, prolonging the need to continue implementing loadshedding. Eskom is working hard to return the units back to service as soon as possible.

We currently have 5 850MW on planned maintenance, while another 13 443MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns and delays. This has led to our inability to supply the full demand.

As previously communicated, Eskom continues to implement reliability maintenance during this period, and as such the system will continue to be constrained, with the possibility of loadshedding remaining elevated.

Eskom requests the public to continue using electricity sparingly as the system remains vulnerable and unpredictable, and we will communicate timeously should there be any significant changes to the power system.

ENDS