Stage 2 load shedding implemented TODAY – find your schedule here

Eskom said Stage 2 load shedding will again be implemented from 05:00 to 22:00 TODAY.

STAGE 2 LOAD SHEDDING TO START AT 05:00

This comes after the power utility announced Stage 2 load shedding on Tuesday afternoon.

Eskom said it the load shedding has been caused by a shortage of generation capacity owning to breakdowns and delays in returning some generating units to service.

“We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly. Eskom will promptly communicate should there be any significant changes.”

“The breakdown of a generation unit at Armot, Duvha, Kendal, Medupi, and Tutuka power stations, as well as delays in returning to service a unit to service at Hendrina power station, have exacerbated the capacity constraints. On Saturday morning Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear power station tripped from full power during the routine testing of the control rod system. The process to return the unit to service is underway.

“We currently have 4 588 MW on planned maintenance, while another 16 142MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.”

Eskom

ALSO READ: Pay more for less: Prepaid electricity – Vendors’ cut sparks uproar

FIND YOUR SCHEDULE HERE:

• City of Tshwane 
• City of Johannesburg
• City of Ekurhuleni 
• City of Cape Town
• Nelson Mandela Bay
• eThekwini
• Manguang
• Buffalo City

For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.

ALSO READ: More SNOW expected TODAY in parts of South Africa

RAMAPHOSA URGED SOUTH AFRICANS TO GET ROOFTOP SOLAR

President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month said they intend to enable businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar to generate electricity.

He said South Africa has a great abundance of sun that should be used to generate electricity.

ALSO READ: Is this the end of load shedding? Five things you need to know about the family meeting

“There is significant potential for households and businesses to install rooftop solar and connect this power to the grid.

“To incentivise greater uptake of rooftop solar, Eskom will develop rules and a pricing structure – known as a feed-in tariff – for all commercial and residential installations on its network.” 

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Click here to read more.

We’ve got some easy-to-implement tips from Budget Insurance to get you ready for life with load shedding:

• Keep your property well-lit to help deter potential criminal activities when the power goes off with a few high-wattage solar-powered lights for your garden – and a few LED lights for the inside.
• Check the load shedding schedule and make sure to charge your phone before the power goes off, or invest in a portable phone charger so that you can call for help if necessary.
• If you need to manually open and close your gates when you get home in the evenings, arrange for an escort from your security company to meet you at the house.
• Alarm systems, garage doors and electric gates generally rely on electricity, so make sure that these items all have good backup batteries. It is also wise to add some extra burglar bars or padlocks to potentially vulnerable areas in and around your home, should any of your backup batteries not make it through load shedding. 
• Keep a torch or a solar, battery-powered light that is charged beforehand in multiple, easily accessible locations around your home. Be sure to also have plenty of spare batteries.
• Your fridge and freezer supplies should be okay without power overnight if you do not open and close them repeatedly. If you’re worried about certain food items, prepare an ice box for these.
• Make sure that all appliances – especially those that pose a fire risk if left unattended – are switched off when load shedding starts and gradually turned back on once power returns. This not only minimises the pressure on the grid when the power is turned back on but also minimises the risk of damage to appliances due to power surges or a fire risk causing a power outage to turn into a catastrophe.