Thursday, 6 February 2020: Stage 2 rotational loadshedding is currently in
effect today and will be implemented tomorrow, owing to a shortage of capacity
and a higher demand in electricity. The probability of loadshedding remains
high for the weekend. Eskom will continue
to provide regular updates.
Eskom wishes to
remind South Africans that there is an increased possibility of loadshedding
over the next 18 months as Eskom is conducting critical maintenance to restore
its ageing plant to good health. Customers are also advised that any additional shifts
on the system may require a change in the loadshedding stage. We therefore
request customers to use electricity sparingly and to reduce demand during this
period of loadshedding.
As we continue to replenish the emergency reserves at
our pumped storage schemes and open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), we will
continue to explore the pilot programme of providing loadshedding respite
during the morning and evening traffic rush hours in the week. However this is
not possible today owing to the available generating capacity and the need to
replenish emergency reserves.
Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 11 567MW
as at 06:00 this morning. Critical maintenance is being done on units that are
currently on planned outages as well as some of those on unplanned outages to
ensure timeous return to service.
To assist us in reducing the stage of loadshedding, we
appeal to customers to continue to use electricity sparingly:
Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC
Switch off your geysers over peak periods
Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time
Set your swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time
At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers,
printers and fax machines at the switch.
We appeal to customers to revisit their loadshedding
schedules on the Eskom (https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za) or local municipal
websites, depending on their electricity supplier, to review amendments.
ENDS