Eskom ups load shedding as temperatures rise

This article has been updated

Cape Town - Eskom on Wednesday announced that it will move from stage 1 to stage 2 load shedding from 18:00 to help alleviate pressure on the grid.

It said the power system remains severely constrained as temperatures hit new highs the past few days and as it struggles to meet demand amid planned and unplanned outages.  

Eskom said the system will remain severely constrained for the rest of the week and urged electricity users to reduce consumption to reduce the severity of load shedding.

Stage 2 load shedding is expected to kick in at 18:00 on Wednesday and is expected to last until 22:00. Eskom started implementing stage 1 load shedding from 14:00.

"As temperatures hit highs in the past few days, we would like to thank all the customers who responded to our call and reduced their energy consumption," Eskom said, adding that "if we work together we are able to reduce our demand thereby reducing the severity of load shedding".

"If we assume a demand of approximately 30 000MW, at Stage 1 load shedding we require a reduction of up to 1 000MW, which means that 96% of South Africans still receive power.

"At Stage 2 we require up to 2 000MW and still supply 93%.

"At Stage 3, we require up to 4 000MW and are able to supply full power to 86% South Africans," according to Eskom.

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As the system remains constrained, there is a high probability that we may move to stage 2 in the evening. We will inform you accordingly.

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) February 11, 2015

Earlier on Wednesday Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe, said Eskom's projection is that the power system will be more constrained later on Wednesday afternoon and as a result the risk of load shedding is high for today [Wednesday] and the rest of the week.