load shedding

Eskom is currently implementing Stage 4 and 2 rolling black outs. Image: Pexels/Rahul

JUST IN: Load shedding cancelled, returns on Sunday afternoon

Eskom says stage 4 load shedding was cancelled on Sunday morning at 08:00 – but don’t put away those candles just yet

load shedding

Eskom is currently implementing Stage 4 and 2 rolling black outs. Image: Pexels/Rahul

Eskom has announced it is cancelling load shedding on Sunday morning, 20 November 2022 – but don’t put those candles away as the embattled power utility says the rolling blackouts will return just hours later.

This comes just days after Eskom ramped up load shedding to stage 4, citing a loss in generation capacity, low pumped storage dam levels and lack diesel. At the time, the parastatal had said stage 4 load shedding would continue until further notice.

LOAD SHEDDING STAGE YET TO BE CONFIRMED FOR SUNDAY

Now it seems the situation has somewhat improved as Eskom has been prompted to put the implementation of the rolling blackouts on hold, at least for a couple of hours, which may be a welcome relief for South Africans who were bracing for another day without electricity.

“Load shedding was cancelled at 08:00 this morning, owing to sufficient recovery in generating capacity and pumped storage dam levels. Load shedding will [be] reinstated at 17:00 and the stage will be confirmed during the afternoon,” said Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha in a brief statement.

Eskom’s COO Jan Oberholzer had previously said that the power cuts would continue at least until June 2023. This is because a unit at Koeberg Power Station is set to undergo maintenance.

“Unit 1 of the Koeberg nuclear power station, which has enjoyed 384 days of uninterrupted supply, will be shut down for normal maintenance and refuelling, and the replacement of the three steam generators as part of the long-term operation to extend its operating life,” he said.

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