The power system was constrained but stable for most of the day today, thus enabling Eskom to perform maintenance without the need for load shedding.
However, due to increased electricity demand and a shortage of generation capacity due to power station units being on maintenance, Eskom will implement stage 1 load shedding from 17h00 today and is likely to continue until 22h00 this evening.
Eskom would like to assure customers that load shedding is implemented as a necessary measure to protect the power system and to ensure that maintenance is carried out in order to guarantee that our supply of electricity can be maintained in the long term.
Any unexpected changes on the vulnerable and constrained power system could lead to a change in the load shedding stage at short notice.
As we are currently experiencing cold weather conditions across the country, we urge electricity users to consider energy efficient ways of keeping warm.
Eskom will use the published load shedding schedules which are available on the Eskom website (https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/) for Eskom customers. Eskom customers can also contact our customer call centre 0860 037 566.
Municipal customers should contact their municipalities for information.
Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system through all the media platforms.
