Eskom Implements Stage 2 Load Shedding from 9pm Thursday to Friday 5am & Over the Weekend

Eskom has implemented Stage 2 load shedding from 9pm on Thursday until 5am on Friday and will be repeated on Friday night from 9pm to 5am on Saturday.

The power utility says the load shedding is necessary to replenish the emergency generation reserves, which have been depleted in order to keep the lights on during business hours.

Eskom’s Sikonathi Mantshantsha has urged South Africans to use electricity sparingly.

“Emergency reserves have been depleted faster than expected due to further breakdowns of a generating unit each at Kriel and Tutuka power stations today. Delays in returning generating units at Tutuka, Grootvlei and Kendal have also contributed to the depletion of emergency reserves.”

Mantshantsha says it may also be necessary to continue load shedding during the day and over the weekend.

“Eskom will communicate promptly should there be any significant changes to the power system.”

Mantshantsha says while Eskom expects a number of generating units to return to service from breakdowns during the course of the next few days, it is urging the public to reduce the usage and to continue using electricity sparingly to assist in avoiding load shedding.

Eskom has not implemented load shedding since 22 July 2021.