Power utility Eskom says it will ease load shedding once again this week due to lower anticipated demand and improved available generation capacity.

Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Monday. Thereafter, load shedding will be suspended until 16:00 on Monday.

Due to the lower demand and improved available generation capacity, Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Monday.

Thereafter, load shedding will be suspended until 16:00 on Monday. Stage 4 load shedding will resume at 16:00 until
05:00 on Tuesday, followed by Stage 1 load shedding until 16:00.

This pattern will be repeated daily until further notice, Eskom said.

Sunday, 4 June 

• Stage 2: 16h00 until 00h00

Monday, 5 June 

• Stage 2: 00h00 to 05h00
• Suspended: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 4: 16h00 to 00h00

Tuesday, 6 June 

• Stage 4: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage 1: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 4: 16h00 to 00h00

Wednesday, 7 June 

• Stage 4: 00h00 to 05h00
• Stage 1: 05h00 to 16h00
• Stage 4: 16h00 to 00h00

During the low-demand periods overnight, load shedding may be suspended for a few hours to manage the system. Eskom will publish another update as soon as any significant changes occur.

Breakdowns have reduced to 15 846MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 2 239MW.

Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Kendal, Kriel, Matla and two generating units at Lethabo power stations were returned to service. Cahora Bassa was returned to service during the same period after a failure on Friday afternoon.

In the same period, a generation unit each at Arnot, Camden and Medupi power stations was taken out of service due to breakdowns.

The further delays in returning to service a generating unit at Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba and Tutuka power stations are contributing to the current capacity constraints.

Eskom teams are working around the clock to return these generating units to service over the next few days, the utility said.

It added that it thanks those South Africans who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers from 17:00 to 21:00, in helping to alleviate the pressure on the power system and contributing to lower stages of load shedding.

Schedules 

For people living in the major metros, load shedding schedules are available here:

• City of Johannesburg
• City of Ekurhuleni 
• City of Tshwane 
• City of Cape Town (PDF)
• Nelson Mandela Bay
• eThekwini
• Manguang
• Buffalo City

For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.

Smartphone users can also download the app EskomSePush to receive push notifications when load shedding is implemented, as well as the times the area you are in will be off.