Eskom declares power emergency

Is Durban North next on Eskom's load shedding list?

June 12, 2014

Rianette Cluley 1 minute read

ESKOM announced yesterday that the country’s power supply is under heavy constraint and said power outages are likely between 5.30pm and 6.30pm tonight, just half an hour before the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off.

Yesterday Eskom released a statement saying that at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, 11 June two units at Duvha and Kendal power stations respectively tripped and a portion of the capacity normally imported from Cahora Bassa became unavailable.

As a result, a reduction in electricity demand was required between 6pm and 8pm to balance the electricity system, which was implemented according Eskom’s load shedding schedule.

“We anticipate that the system will remain tight tomorrow evening (12 June) between 5pm and 9pm, and once again appeal to all energy users to use electricity sparingly during this period. In an effort to avoid load shedding, all electricity users are urged to switch off non-essential appliances, pool pumps and geysers between 5pm and 9pm,” Eskom said in its statement.

The utility said commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks can make the biggest difference by switching off non-essential lights and switching office equipment like computers to standby mode after hours.

eThekwini Municipality has not yet released any statement declaring a power emergency, but below is the stand by load shedding schedule should load shedding take effect.