Load shedding to continue until Friday, maybe even the weekend

Eskom announced on Wednesday evening that stage 2 rotational load shedding will continue until Friday.

It said there is also a high probability of load shedding over the weekend.

The power utility said in a statement that it regrets having to take these steps, but that it is due to a shortage of capacity and a higher demand for electricity.

Earlier on Wednesday Eskom said it would not be able to suspend stage 2 load shedding during the afternoon rush hour, as it is still in the process of replenishing its emergency reserves of diesel and water.  

At that time, it was still of the opinon that stage 2 load shedding would only continue until Thursday morning at 6am, when it said it would review the situation.

Eskom pointed out that there is an increased possibility of load shedding over the next 18 months as it is conducting critical maintenance to restore its ageing plants to good health. It asked consumers to assist in reducing the probability of load shedding by using electricity sparingly.
 
"We don't take the decision to implement loadshedding lightly, but the reality is that our generating infrastructure is constrained and unreliable," said Eskom group CEO André de Ruyter. "It is regrettable for us to have to implement loadshedding, but it is unavoidable given the state of the generation infrastructure, as well as unusually high demand. Load shedding is necessary to protect the power system as we conduct critical maintenance and to replenish emergency reserves."