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The power system remains constrained with the risk of Stage 1 loadshedding remaining high for this evening due to a shortage of capacity from the effects of the recent industrial action. Eskom’s prognosis is that the power system will take up to approximately ten days to recover from the effects of the recent industrial action, once all staff return to work on Monday.

Eskom has not implemented loadshedding this morning but the risk of loadshedding remains high for this evening from 5pm to 9pm.  Should loadshedding be implemented today it would be for a period of up to four hours. Level 1 loadshedding requires 1000MW to be load-shed nation-wide. Loadshedding is conducted as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.

While safety of employees remains our first priority, recovery teams at our power stations continue to work hard to stabilise the power system and to return our generation plant as quick as possible.

Customers should note that some municipalities may take longer to restore load once loadshedding has been terminated. If customers experience outages for longer periods than announced, please contact your supplier (Eskom or the Municipality) as this may be a localised power outage.

We thank residents and businesses for using electricity sparingly during this period. Please switch off geysers during the day especially during peak periods (07:00 to 10:00 and 18:00 to 21:00) as well as all non-essential lighting and electricity appliances to assist in reducing demand.  Remember to treat all electrical points as live during a power outage.

Customers are advised to keep checking their loadshedding schedules on the Eskom and their municipal website, and plan on the assumption that loadshedding will take place.
 
For Eskom customers, these schedules are available on the Eskom website (loadshedding.eskom.co.za). Eskom customers can also contact our customer contact centre at 0860 037 566.
 
Loadshedding tips:
 

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during loadshedding. A power outage lasting three to four hours should not cause food spoilage, and a freezer should keep frozen food safe for at least a day.
• Make sure that the backup batteries in your electric operated gates, garage doors and security systems are in good condition to last through periods of loadshedding.

Issued by Eskom