Just like a bad rash you can’t manage to shake; Stage 6 load shedding has returned. Unfortunately, Eskom isn’t the type to make jokes — this is really happening. The news comes straight from the horse’s Twitter account, citing the increased shed to the loss of generating units overnight.
“Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented at 07:00 this morning [12 July] until 14:00,” the power-denier said. Don’t get too comfortable, because it followed that statement up with: “Thereafter, Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 14:00 today until 05:00 on Thursday.”
At least it’s not Stage 8 load shedding
Wednesday, 12 July 2023: Due to the loss of additional generating units overnight, the extensive use of Open Gas Cycle Turbines and the inability to replenish pumped storage dam levels, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented at 07:00 this morning until…
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) July 12, 2023
As you can see, it does get worse. This isn’t some once-off thing that we’ll be rid of by Thursday. Eskom has said the current Stage 4/6 pattern that’s in place now will continue to be so until it states otherwise. You can blame the near-freezing temperatures and Eskom’s regular excuses including intensive use of its open-cycle gas turbines and its inability to replenish its pumped storage levels.
Read More: Eskom will bring dormant Kusile units back online following Minimum Emission Standards bypass
EskomSePush’s latest stats show that South Africa has already undergone 4033 hours (or 168 days) of load shedding in 2023. We’re expecting that number to shoot up by the next time we have a load shedding update for you. Who knows? Maybe Eskom believes it’s slacking, being 25 days behind the current day of the year.