Eskom Implements Load Shedding Due to Cold Weather

Stage 2 and 3 Load Shedding Announced

Eskom, South Africa’s electricity public utility, has declared Stage 2 and Stage 3 load shedding until further notice due to anticipated cold weather conditions.

Stage 2 load shedding commenced from 16:00 on the current day and is scheduled until 16:00 the following Monday.

Following this, Stage 2 and 3 load shedding will continue until further notice.

Eskom has urged the public to conserve energy by turning off non-essential appliances, especially geysers and pool pumps, between 17:00 and 21:00.

Background on Eskom

Eskom, established in 1923 as the Electricity Supply Commission, is South Africa’s largest electricity producer and ranks among the world’s top utilities in terms of generation capacity and sales.

It is also the largest state-owned enterprise in South Africa.

Eskom’s Power Stations

Eskom operates several significant power stations, including Matimba Power Stations, Medupi Power Station in Lephalale, Kusile Power Station in Witbank, Kendal Power Station in Mpumalanga, and Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in the Western Cape, the only nuclear power plant in Africa.

City of Cape Town Adapts Schedule

Following Eskom’s announcement, the City of Cape Town has adjusted its load shedding schedule.

At the time of publication, City of Cape Town customers are experiencing Stage 1 load shedding until 22:00.

Stage 3 will be implemented from 22:00 until 05:00 on Wednesday.

Load Shedding Tips

For those affected by load shedding, here are six tips to mitigate risks:

Use surge protection to safeguard electronic devices.
Ensure your alarm system has a backup battery.
Keep a torch or headlamp for lighting during outages.
Save emergency contact information on your phone and in print.
Charge your electronic devices ahead of scheduled blackouts.
Consider using gas for cooking and lighting during power outages.

Residents can check the Load Shedding Schedule for their area on the official load shedding website.

Conclusion

Eskom’s decision to implement load shedding is due to the anticipated cold weather, highlighting the vulnerability of the power supply during extreme conditions.

This serves as a reminder for individuals and businesses to be prepared for power interruptions and to follow the provided tips to minimize inconvenience during load shedding.

Additionally, the adjustments in the City of Cape Town’s load shedding schedule aim to manage the impact on residents, reflecting the need for flexibility in response to Eskom’s announcements.

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