South Africa Plunges into Deep Power Cuts as Eskom Declares Stage 6 Load Shedding

In a jarring announcement for energy consumers, Eskom confirmed that South Africa will face all-day Stage 6 load shedding starting Friday, signaling severe power generation setbacks.

Unprecedented Power Shortages

From midday Friday until the early hours of Monday, South Africans will grapple with escalated Stage 6 power outages. This drastic measure underscores the fragility of the national power grid, previously kept afloat by reduced demand and minimized maintenance.

Critical Outages and Peak Demand Woes

With unplanned outages peaking at 15,901MW and planned maintenance occupying 5,822MW, the evening demand is expected to soar to 27,206MW. Eskom has vowed to keep a vigilant eye on the system, promising updates on any load shedding shifts.

Breakdowns and Declining Performance

Recent weeks have seen a disturbing increase in breakdowns, prompting a leap to Stage 4 load shedding by mid-week. Data from energy analyst Pieter Jordaan paints a grim picture, contradicting political claims of progress in Eskom’s capacity. The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has slipped from the once-hailed 60% mark, and consistent outages now exceed 30% of total capacity.

A Nation in the Dark

Eskom’s troubling trajectory spells out a challenging energy future for the nation, leaving both households and businesses bracing for an uncertain supply and the impact of these deep power cuts on daily life and economic activity.

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