Eskom’s Weekend Load Shedding Update: A Brighter Long Weekend Ahead?

In what can only be described as a breath of fresh air, Eskom, South Africa’s power utility giant, has brought a glimmer of good news for this long weekend. But what exactly can South Africans expect?

The Power Play Schedule

Friday, 22 September:

• Daytime respite with no load shedding until 16h00.
• But brace for a Stage 2 load shedding from 16h00 to midnight.

Saturday, 23 September:

• A brief Stage 2 disturbance from midnight to 05h00.
• The rest of the day? Eskom pulls the plug on load shedding, letting South Africans enjoy uninterrupted power.

Sunday, 24 September and Monday, 25 September:

• Clear skies with no load shedding interruptions.

Tuesday, 26 September:

• The day begins with no outages until 05h00.
• Stage 1 will power up the scene from 05h00 and continue throughout the day.

Eskom remarked, “During the long weekend, we aim to tackle minor defects on some units through planned maintenance. The power system’s close watch will ensure timely communication if changes arise.”

A Glimpse Beyond the Schedule

Eskom’s plea remains consistent: “We urge the public to maintain a vigilant eye on consumption, switching off non-essentials.” Current evening peak demand predictions hover around 27,406MW.

Constraints? Yes, they persist. Breakdowns loom at 14,364MW. Maintenance takes another 5,731MW off the grid. Add to that, recent setbacks at Arnot and Kendal power stations, with a unit each going offline for repairs.

The anticipated return of a Kendal Power Station unit is also lagging, tightening capacity constraints further.

A New Strategy Emerges

Eskom seems to be reevaluating its playbook. This week showcased a more dynamic approach to load shedding, a departure from their traditional fixed schedules. This tactical shift does mean South Africans should stay alert for potential short-notice changes.

However, should Eskom maintain this power momentum through the entire long weekend, it’ll mark a pivotal moment. It would be the first 24-hour uninterrupted power stretch since March 2023 and the first back-to-back power-filled days since September 2022.

So, as South Africans prepare for the long weekend, keeping fingers crossed might just be in order.

Accessing Load Shedding Schedules

We are pleased to inform you that accessing load shedding schedules tailored to your specific area is now simplified, thanks to Loadshedding.com.

How to Access the Schedule:

1. Visit Load shedding Schedule.
2. Enter your suburb name to view the schedule for upcoming days.

If you’re uncertain about your suburb’s name, kindly refer to Eskom’s Loadshedding Site for assistance.

Device Compatibility: The Loadshedding.com platform is optimized for a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

Pro-tip: Bookmark your suburb on the site for quicker access in the future.