Stage 4 Load Shedding Initiated: Discover the Updated Timetable

Eskom Announces Stage 4 Load Shedding: Here’s What to Expect

Eskom, the power utility company, has reported that load shedding will escalate to stage 4 on Thursday (30 March) due to increased pressure on the grid. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect over the coming days:

Load Shedding Schedule Overview

• Stage 2 load shedding will continue as planned from 16h00 on Wednesday until Thursday morning
• Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from Thursday morning
• Stage 4 load shedding will begin on Thursday evening and last until Friday morning
• Stage 3 load shedding will continue over the weekend

Detailed Load Shedding Schedule

Wednesday, 29 March

• Stage 1: until 16h00
• Stage 2: 16h00 to 00h00

Thursday, 30 March

• Stage 2: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage 3: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 4: 16h00 to 00h00

Friday, 31 March

• Stage 4: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage 3: 05h00 to 00h00

Saturday, 1 April

• Stage 3: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage 2: 05h00 to 00h00

Sunday, 2 April

• Stage 2: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage 1: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 2: 16h00 to 00h00

Current Situation and Concerns

Eskom has stated that breakdowns are responsible for 15,089MW of lost generating capacity. Meanwhile, planned maintenance has taken 7,147MW of capacity offline. Over the past 24 hours, a generation unit at Duvha Power Station returned to service, while units at Lethabo, Kendal, and Kriel were taken offline for repairs.

Delays in returning units to service at Hendrina, Medupi, and Tutuka, coupled with a planned upgrade at Ankerlig Power Station, have added to capacity constraints.

Potential Impact on Winter Months

As South Africa heads into winter, there is growing concern over the delayed maintenance at the Koeberg nuclear power station. The delay could result in increased pressure on Eskom’s grid during the winter months, with analysts warning of potential escalations in load shedding beyond the currently available schedules.

Earlier this month, Virtual Energy and Power director Clyde Mallinson warned that South Africans could face a cold, dark winter. He emphasized that Eskom must raise the coal fleet’s capacity factor (CF) to at least 50% to prevent high levels of load shedding during the winter months.

Should Eskom fail to do so, the country could experience stage 6 load shedding or higher during peak winter in June. Eskom’s coal fleet operated at only 40% CF in February, which, if maintained, could result in stage 11 load shedding, a level not yet included in the available schedules.

Eskom is working with Nersa to establish new load shedding schedules in response to these concerns.