Loadshedding suspended – for now
Update Friday, 22 April 2022: Eskom expects to return to service nine generation units during the weekend. These are a unit at Hendrina and two generation units each at Arnot, Duvha, Majuba and Tutuka power stations. The low weekend demand will assist in replenishing emergency reserves. This, together with the reduced weekend demand, will enable Eskom to suspend loadshedding at 22:00 tonight.
Eskom would like to again caution that even with the return to service of these units, the power system remains severely constrained and volatile. During next week we anticipate to continue relying on the use of emergency reserves to meet demand.
We currently have 5 353MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 912MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
Eskom would again like to apologise for the implementation of loadshedding and will continue to closely monitor the power system. Loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore request the public to continue using electricity sparingly to reduce the occurrence of loadshedding.
We will promptly inform the public should there be any significant developments.
Update Thursday, 21 April 2022: A generation unit each at the Majuba, Matimba and the Arnot power stations have returned to service since last night, while a single unit at Tutuka Power Station was shut down for repairs. Two more units are set to return to service during the next 24 hours.
This, together with the expected lower weekend demand, makes it possible for Eskom to reduce the implementation of loadshedding to Stage 2 starting at 22:00 tonight. Loadshedding will then continue at that level until Friday evening. Eskom will continue to adjust the stage of loadshedding depending on the level of breakdowns.
We currently have 5 349MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 493MW of capacity is unavailable due to unplanned breakdowns.
Loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore request the public to continue using electricity sparingly, as we strive to return units to service.
Eskom would like to apologise for the implementation of loadshedding and will continue to closely monitor the power system. We will promptly inform the public should there be any significant developments.
Wednesday, 20 April 2022:
Having returned to service six generation units over the past 24 hours, and with three more units set to return tomorrow, Eskom is pleased to be able to reduce the implementation of loadshedding to Stage 3 starting at 22:00 tonight (Wednesday 20 April 2022).
Loadshedding will then continue at that level until Friday. Eskom will continue to adjust the stage of loadshedding depending on the level of breakdowns.
A generation unit each at the Arnot and Kendal power stations returned to service during the day, adding to the two Lethabo units, and one each at Camden and Matla power stations that returned to service during the night. A unit each at the Majuba, Matimba and Arnot power stations are set to return to service by tomorrow.
Altogether, this will boost generation capacity and ease the constraints ahead of the weekend, in which we also expect lower demand.
We currently have 5 787MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 259MW of capacity is unavailable due to unplanned breakdowns.
Loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore request the public to continue using electricity sparingly, as we strive to return units to service.
Eskom would like to apologise for the implementation of loadshedding and will continue to closely monitor the power system. Eskom will promptly inform the public should there be any significant developments.