Eskom update

28 June 2022

Due to unlawful industrial action, Stage 6 loadshedding will regretfully be implemented at 16:00 until 22:00 this evening. Stage 4 will then continue to be implemented until midnight Tuesday, 28 June 2022: Eskom regrets to inform the public that Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 until 22:00 this evening. Stage 4 loadshedding will then be implemented at 22:00 – 00:00. Loadshedding will then be reduced to Stage 2 until 05:00 on Wednesday morning. From 05:00 until 16:00 on Wednesday loadshedding will be implemented at Stage 4. Loadshedding 6 will then again be implemented at 16:00 – 22:00 tomorrow evening.

This is due to the unlawful and unprotected labour action, which has caused widespread disruption to Eskom’s power plants. This has compelled Eskom to continue taking precautionary measures to conserve generation capacity and safeguard plant from damage. There is a high risk that the stage of loadshedding may have to change at any time, depending on the state of the plant.

Eskom continues to closely monitor the system, adjust and communicate any changes as may be necessary. We appeal to all South Africans to help limit the impact of the shortages by continuing to reduce the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items.

Three of the 10 generation units that had tripped during the night have been returned to service. This, however, is still insufficient to stave off the implementation of Stage 6 loadshedding for this evening and tomorrow evening.

We currently have 3 218MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 621MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.

We would like to remind the public that loadshedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly especially during these uncertain times on the power system.

Issued by Media Desk, Eskom, 28 June 2022