Pretoria - Eskom moved from stage 1 to stage 2 load shedding on Friday.
“Eskom moved from stage 1 to stage 2 load shedding at 12pm. This is likely to continue until 22:00 this evening,” said the utility on Friday afternoon.
The move to stage 2 load shedding is due to a combination of units not returning from maintenance today and low reserve levels at its pumped storage schemes and open cycle gas turbines.
The utility said it implements load shedding as a necessary measure to protect the power system and to ensure that maintenance is carried out in order to guarantee that a reliable supply of electricity can be maintained in the long term.
“Eskom calls on all customers to reduce the load on the electricity grid by urgently switching off geysers, air conditioners, pool pumps and all non-essential appliances throughout the day, which will reduce electricity demand.”
Commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, can also make a big difference by switching off non-essential lights and not leaving office equipment such as photocopiers and computers in standby mode after hours.
Eskom will use the published load shedding schedules which are available on the Eskom website (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za) for Eskom customers. Eskom customers can also contact its customer call centre 0860 037 566.
Municipal customers should contact their municipalities for information. - SAnews.gov.za
