Eskom pushes SA into stage 2 load shedding

Cape Town - Eskom will move from stage 1 to stage 2 load shedding at 18:00 on Thursday, which is expected to continue until 22:00.

LOAD SHEDDING PLANNER: GridWatch

This is due to a further shortage of generation capacity as additional units have had to be taken out of service for unplanned maintenance caused by technical faults, Eskom said in a statement.

Eskom has implemented stage 2 load shedding every day since Sunday, with Thursday's stage 1 load shedding starting from 06:00.

On Thursday, it said the electricity supply system remains very constrained and vulnerable due to a shortage of generation capacity. "Several units are currently out of service due to planned and unplanned outages."

Eskom said load shedding is implemented as a necessary measure to protect the power system. "Any additional changes on the already vulnerable and constrained power system could lead to a change in the stage of load shedding at short notice."

At a media briefing on Wednesday, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown said South Africans should expect load shedding to be a way of life for at least the next two years.

"There will be load shedding for the next two years," she said. "It is time for South Africans and the economy to adapt to the situation and find a way to save electricity and manage their productivity during the few hours of load shedding when it occurs."

Energy issues have been in focus during a week of harsh load shedding, with Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown briefing media on Wednesday about Eskom, Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson making a major announcement regarding IPPs (independent power producers) and labour unrest rocking Medupi power station.

Lynne Brown engages with media over Eskom:

- Brown: Eskom board's baptism of fire - as it happened
- Brown: Expect winter load shedding as Eskom ups maintenance

Medupi labour dispute:

- Medupi workers refuse to return to work
- Expelled Medupi workers set to return to work

IPP announcement:

- SA to become global leader of renewables - IPP bid winner
- Call for more South Africans to join power plan
- Energy Dept looks to private sector to solve electricity crisis - as it happened

Load shedding infographic:

- Eskom's 26 days of load shedding in 100 days

Week of load shedding:

- Eskom implements stage 1 load shedding
- Load shedding kicks up a gear
- Stage 2 load shedding starts at 6am
- Why Eskom plunged SA into stage 3 load shedding
- Eskom takes load shedding to the next level