Eskom announces Stage 6 load shedding

In a statement released just minutes ago, Eskom announced that Stage 4 load shedding will move to Stage 6 as from 18:00 on Monday 9 December 2019.

Eskom explains that it is due to “a technical problem at Medupi Power Station” which impacts additional generational supply after heavy rains “caused by coal-handling and operational problems”.

“We regret and sincerely apologise that Stage 4 load shedding will move to Stage 6 load shedding as from 18:00 today, as a result of a shortage of capacity. […] We remind and assure customers that load shedding at Stage 6 is no cause for alarm as the system is being effectively controlled. Stage 6 requires 6 000MW to be rotationally load-shedded.”

Eskom assured concerned citizens that its emergency response command centre and technical teams “will be working through the night to restore units as soon as possible”.

What is Stage 6 load shedding?

It means that Eskom needs to shed about 6 000MW. In short, the higher stage, the more frequently we will experience load shedding.

Eskom currently has generation capacity of 45 000MW; but had to roll out Stage 4 load shedding because it was struggling to meet the demand of 27 000MW.

That means that Eskom is doubling up our schedules from what we would normally getting during a Stage 3 roll-out. In other words, prepare for load shedding up to 18 times more.

We go into a more detailed explanation about Stage 6 load shedding here.

Stage 6 schedule

Unfortunately, this information isn’t available yet. And by that, we mean that even City Power in Johannesburg is still in the dark about the Stage 6 schedules.

“We do not have stage 6 load shedding schedule as yet, as soon as it is received we will communicate.”

CityPowerJHB

This lead to barrage of tweets from concerned netizens asking how Stage 6 could be implemented without a plan.

“This is madness. City power is quick to call me to pay my monthly installment but I can’t even plan for the upcoming power cuts that sprung onto us at the last damn minute. Thank you Eskom.”

Kameel Keshav

South Africa reacts

Of course, this news wasn’t well received. Not in the least. Following Eskom’s announcement, Herman Mashaba said “this would be a lot funnier if it wasn’t so sad.” He added:

“As a people we have learnt to find humour in tragedy; but make no mistake, Eskom is sabotaging the hopes of 10 million unemployed South Africans.”

Floyd Shivambu said South Africa “is in true crisis of lack of leadership”; while Ottilia Anna MaSibanda added, “There aren’t even 6 stages of of grief, Eskom.”

“Stage 8 is when Eskom stops trying. Everyone gets sent home early and told to try again tomorrow.”

@GugsM