Speculation that stage 7 load-shedding is here is incorrect, Eskom has claimed.

South Africa’s stage 6 dark days seem to be getting darker. Last night, 7 045MW was shed, despite the country supposedly being in stage 6 of load-shedding. According to Eskom’s website, stage 6 necessitates the shedding of 6 000MW, while stage 7 requires 7 000MW to be cut.

The figures tell South Africans one story, while Eskom spins another by emphatically saying that the country is still in stage 6 of load-shedding.

After tweets and WhatsApp messages about the inconsistencies between the official load-shedding stage and the megawatts that were shed spread like wildfire yesterday, Caxton Local Media sought answers.

Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha confirmed in a tweet last night that 7 045MW were shed as of 19:15 yesterday.

Evening Peak Feedback 21/02/2023, 19:15
Total demand: 30 480MW
Loadshedding: 7 045MW
Eskom OCGT's Utilised: 14
Eskom GT’s Utilised: 3
IPP OCGT's: 5
Renewable Gen: 1 262MW (Wind 791MW, CSP 390MW, PV 81MW)@Eskom_SA Available Generation: 23 289MW
@EskomSpokesper1

— SikonathiMantshantsh (@SikonathiM) February 21, 2023

When asked about the speculation that South Africans reached stage 7 – the highest ever implemented – Mantshantsha explained that Eskom declares the stage of load-shedding upfront, and that ‘would be any amount in the range declared’.

“Each stage is 1 000MW. At the end of the day, Eskom then follows up with the confirmation of the exact amount of load-shedding that was actually implemented at the highest demand period, and as a response to the demand at every particular moment. Demand and supply change all the time, and Eskom must make sure every time that supply is higher than demand and will, therefore, reduce demand to ensure safe operation of the system.”

He explained that this is why 7 045MW were removed from the system at the highest point last night, but maintained that ‘Eskom is currently implementing stage 6 load-shedding as previously communicated’.

The Citizen reports that if stage 7 is implemented, power cuts will be scheduled over a four-day period for four hours at a time.

Eskom’s current contingency plans make provision for eight load-shedding stages, which means residents could be in the dark up to six times a day (12–14 hours, depending on the schedule).

However, these plans are currently being revised, Eskom systems operator Isabel Fick confirmed on Monday. This led to speculation that the revised plan could include load-shedding stages beyond stage 8.

During an update on current system challenges on Monday, outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter said Eskom hoped to lower power cuts to stage 4 from tomorrow (Thursday), but this is yet to be confirmed.