Eskom load shedding stage 2

A select group of South Africans will only have to face Stage 1 cuts for two hours, however – Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay

It’s Stage 2 load shedding tonight – but not if you live in THIS part of SA

For an overwhelming majority of South Africans, we’ve got five hours of Stage 2 load shedding coming up. Others are more fortunate, though.

Eskom load shedding stage 2

A select group of South Africans will only have to face Stage 1 cuts for two hours, however – Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay

So this is just Eskom’s thing now, is it? Announce new five-hour periods of load shedding on a daily basis and expect the rest of us to be fine with it? The routine was already tiresome before this latest statement…

Check your load shedding schedule for Thursday 19 May

The utility has confirmed that there will be Stage 2 load shedding in place between 17:00 and 22:00. Eskom is struggling to cope with peak electricity hours, where demand exceeds their dwindling supply.

This leaves South Africans in an all-too-familiar position, and the pattern of load shedding hasn’t changed since the beginning of last week. Though these latest power outages will come to a conclusion later tonight, don’t be surprised if they return at the same time tomorrow.

Only Cape Town will get any relief from Stage 2 cuts

There is, however, an exception in place in the Western Cape. Residents who have their electricity supplied by the City of Cape Town – living within the borders of the metropolitan area – won’t be subjected to Stage 2 blackouts.

Instead, they will merely have to negotiate Stage 1 load shedding, for two hours between 18:00 to 20:00. This is a frequent occurrence in the Mother City, which is well-equipped to absorb the shock of these outages – thanks to the use of its own power sources.

You can view the updated Cape Town schedule for Thursday 19 May here: