Eskom dismisses Stage 8 loadshedding rumours

On Tuesday, 14 January, Eskom dismissed inaccurate news reports that suggested municipalities were told to prepare for an imminent escalation of load-shedding to Stage 8. 

The false reports turned social media to a frenzy.

South Africans : what is stage 8?

Eskom : pic.twitter.com/9a8hl28zpr

— the bank of tyra (@RichRakgadi) January 13, 2020

Eskom taking the sun down during Stage 8 loadshedding pic.twitter.com/BeAve8j34F

— Phill (@Deffect_ZA) January 13, 2020

https://twitter.com/tswana_clan/status/1216800074371665923?s=20

According to Eskom, “An article claiming that municipalities have been informed that Stage 8 load-shedding is imminent, is erroneous and incorrect,” said Eskom in a statement. “In keeping with Eskom’s obligations in terms of the Disaster Management Act, we are required to develop contingency plans for identified major incidents. A severe supply constraints is one of these, for which we have plans in place.”

The highest stage that load-shedding has reached was Stage 6 last year as the grid came under immense pressure. “When Stage 6 load-shedding was implemented in December, not all metros or municipalities had published their extended load-shedding schedules,” said Eskom. “The Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMAEU) therefore engaged most of its members to confirm their compliance with the code.”

Eskom explained that each stage provides for a reduction in a load of approximately five per cent which equates to roughly 1 000 MW at peak. Stage 8 equates to approximately an 8 000 MW deficit. “The likelihood of reaching Stage 8 is low.”

Related Article: 

Power system under pressure following heavy storms and rains #Load-shedding