And it's back! Eskom warns of possible load shedding 'at short notice'

And it’s back! Eskom warns of possible load shedding ‘at short notice’

Eskom says stage 4 power cuts could be implemented during this weekend if power utility’s reserves are not properly restored.

South Africans could see Stage 4 load shedding return over the weekend. Image credit: Canva

It’s been 10 months since South Africans received the dreaded notification from the country’s power utility, Eskom, that load shedding could be implemented at any time.

But it has finally arrived.

On Friday, 31 January, Eskom sent out a notice on its X (formerly Twitter) account stating that there was a high risk that load shedding could be implemented at any time.

ESKOM WARNS OF POSSIBLE POWER CUTS AFTER 10 MONTHS OF STABILITY

After nearly a year of uninterrupted electricity supply, Eskom has announced that load shedding may be reintroduced due to unexpected system constraints. In a statement released on Friday, the power utility confirmed that despite recent progress in stabilising the national grid, several breakdowns over the past week have depleted emergency reserves, increasing the likelihood of power cuts.

Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, described the situation as a “potentially temporary setback,” attributing the strain on the power system to unforeseen breakdowns in key generating units. “Load shedding is largely behind us due to the structural improvements in our generation fleet. However, over the past seven days, we have experienced several breakdowns that require extended repair times. This has necessitated the use of all our emergency reserves, which now need to be replenished,” Marokane said.

While Eskom assured South Africans that its Summer Outlook remains unchanged, the utility has warned that up to Stage 4 load shedding could be implemented over the weekend if reserves are not properly restored.

FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH 2024

This would mark the first instance of rotational power cuts since March 2024, when the country saw a notable reduction in electricity disruptions following Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan.

The power utility’s success over the past ten months has been as a result of improved maintenance strategies and better operational efficiency. However, concerns remain about the sustainability of these improvements as ageing infrastructure and unpredictable breakdowns continue to bring challenges.

Energy analysts have previously warned that while Eskom’s recovery plan has yielded positive results, the risk of load shedding is ever-present, particularly during periods of high demand or unexpected technical failures.

Eskom has stated that it will provide more updates on the situation as it develops. South Africans are advised to remain prepared for potential outages and to stay informed through official Eskom communication channels.