Eskom will implement stage one load shedding (1GW cut) for the 10th day in a row, but only from 5pm to 10pm on Tuesday as it tries to minimise the power cuts during the day. The power utility informed users via Twitter just before 2pm.
Earlier on Tuesday, Eskom announced that there will be no load shedding for the first half of the day.
“Because of maintenance, the system will not be able to meet 1GMW of demand, meaning that although certain areas will be without electricity for a certain period, about 96% of South Africans will still continue to receive power supply at the same time,” Eskom said in a statement.
In a statement, the power utility said that there is enough electricity generating capacity to meet demand.
“The power system is stable at present and should there be a need to load shed in the evening, Eskom will advise the public accordingly.”
Eskom thanked consumers for responding to its call to save power.
Chances of load shedding on Tuesday were medium for the morning and very high for the evening and dependent on the performance of the power plant, Eskom said in a tweet early on Tuesday.
Eskom, which stopped stage one load shedding at 9.46pm on Monday, said the electricity supply system remains very vulnerable for the rest of the week.
South African consumers have experienced over 30 days of load shedding this year in the worst electricity crunch since 2008.
Eskom said maintenance is carried out to guarantee that its supply of electricity can be maintained in the long term.
In a call on consumers to help save electricity, Eskom said “every little bit of saving counts in minimising the severity of load shedding”. — Fin24
