Eskom announces 11-hour breaks in load-shedding

Eskom has announced that there will be 11-hour breaks in scheduled power cuts on Saturday and Sunday, between 05:00 and 16:00.

This is due to the expected return to service of generating units over the weekend.

Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented between 16:00 in the afternoon and 05:00 the following morning.

“Eskom will closely monitor the power system and provide an update for the week ahead on Sunday afternoon,” the state-owned power utility said.

Eskom said breakdowns have reduced to 13,921MW of generating capacity, while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is at 6,831MW.

“Eskom Power Station General Managers and their teams continue to work diligently to ensure that additional generating capacity is recovered by bringing units on unplanned outages, and planned maintenance back to service,” the utility said.

“A total of 2,560MW of generating capacity is anticipated to be returned to service by Monday. Eskom’s evening peak demand tonight is 25,095MW.”

The following table summarises Eskom’s load-shedding timetable for the weekend.