#LoadShedding: What you need to know

Eskom has once again implemented stage 1 load shedding, which is set to continue until 9pm tonight.

This comes after the Eskom workers strike on Thursday, which led to stage 1 load shedding hitting certain parts of the country, resulting in blackouts without any warning.

Eskom’s claim that it cannot afford to pay its workers an increase this year led to picketing at Megawatt Park, their northern Johannesburg headquarters, as well as blocking of entrances at power stations around the country.

#PowerUpdate: Acts of intimidation and sabotage continue today at some of Eskom’s power stations, a move that has begun to threaten the security of power supply. Eskom will continue to provide regular updates about the state of the power system through various media platforms. pic.twitter.com/CPBL4AnPfA

— Khulu Phasiwe (@KhuluPhasiwe) June 15, 2018

Load shedding was ultimately implemented despite the state utility company assuring South Africans earlier this week that contingency plans were put in place to keep the lights on during the strike.

At least four power stations were severely “constrained” forcing them to implement stage 1  load shedding from 5pm to 8pm yesterday.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe confirmed on Twitter that stage 1 load shedding would continue from 11.30am today.

#Power_Alert: Load shedding commenced at 11:29 and will continue until 21:00. Schedules available on @Eskom_SA https://t.co/S9zcC9bSYJ or local municipalities if you are a municipal customer. Customers are cautioned to treat all electrical connections as live during this period.

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) June 15, 2018

Eskom admitted that South Africa faces a real risk of load shedding and has asked South Africans to lower power consumption in a bid to avoid this.

Power consumption can be lowered by switching off geysers, pool pumps, heaters and non-essential appliances in the peak period between five in the afternoon and eight in the evening.

The utility added it is load shedding according to published load shedding schedules which are available on the Eskom website HERE.

If you are a direct Municipal customer click HERE.

Schedules provided by KwaDukuza Municipality:

Ballito

Stanger

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