Breaking: Eskom intensify load shedding, Stage 4 put in place until Sunday

We were blessed with the news of Stage 2 load shedding on this here bright Saturday morning. Then Eskom did us one better and implemented Stage 3. But wait, there’s more! We’re now at Stage 4.

In an updated statement issued on Saturday morning, the embattled energy provider said the loss of an additional 900 MW from the Mozambique imports is to blame for our current situation.

The strain on the system therefore forced Eskom to plunge us into Stage 4 load shedding from 12:00 on Saturday. Eskom urged both residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly during this period.

It is suggested that non-essential appliances such as geysers and stoves are switched off when not in use to reduce the demand.

Due to the loss of an additional 900 MW from the Mozambique imports, loadshedding will move up to stage 4 from 12 noon @CityPowerJhb @City_Ekurhuleni @CityTshwane @eThekwiniM @TimesLIVE @ewnupdates

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 16, 2019

Major breakdown of Eskom power plants

Eskom reported earlier this week that it had lost critical power generating units and that the grid was under severe strain. We’ve gradually been moving up through the different stages of load shedding and now here we are.

At the time, Eskom explained that the plant breakdowns were as a result of Eskom’s dubious maintenance scheme:

“The risk of Stage 2 rotational load shedding remains high for tomorrow as a result of shortage of capacity due to a number of generating units still out of service due to breakdowns. We will provide an update on the power system tomorrow morning.”

Load shedding latest news for Saturday 16 March

In Eskom’s own words, “the situation remains tight and volatile” and continues to deteriorate. The bad news, they say, is that it could impact “the prognosis for Sunday and next week.” Oh, wow. Thank you.

The last time stage 4 load shedding hit South Africa in February, the country was sent into a tailspin. There’s a shortage of capacity forecast for the rest of the week, but the firm are wary that these outages could last until April.

#POWERALERT 3
Date: 16 March 2019

Rotational loadshedding moves to Stage 4 from 12h00, due to loss of additional capacity from Mozambique @TimesLIVE @ewnupdates @eNCA @SABCNewsOnline @CityPowerJhb @City_Ekurhuleni @CityTshwane @CityofCT @eThekwiniM pic.twitter.com/kN9eQRUlpr

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 16, 2019

What is Stage 4 load shedding?

Stage 4 calls for 4 000 MW to be rotationally loadshed nationally at a given period. (That period is our lovely Saturday afternoon.)

Eskom explains: “Loadshedding is conducted rotationally as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.”

And if you were wondering, this is what would happen to South Africa if we ever reached Stage 8.

Here’s how to check when you’re area will be plunged into darkness: Eskom load shedding schedules.