Interpreting Eskom load shedding stages
What do the different load shedding stages mean?
Eskom has explained how load shedding, used under emergency conditions for limited periods, has three distinct stages.
The three schedules have now been developed based on the possibility of risk and to ensure that it is applied in a fair and equitable manner:
Stage one allows for up to 1000 MW of the national load to be shed.
Stage two allows for up to 2000 MW of the national load to be shed.
Stage three allows for up to 4000 MW of the national load to be shed.
Load shedding will be implemented in most instances in two hour blocks (with an additional 30 minutes for switching between blocks).
You therefore may be without electricity for 2,5 to 3 hours at a time.
Load shedding will usually, but not limited to, be implemented between 5am and 10pm.
For more details visit www.eskom.co.za.
The GCN has also contacted the metro to find out if the load shedding schedule provided on their website is applicable to all three load shedding stages.
Themba Gadebe, spokesman for the metro, released the following statement:
“The load shedding schedules on our website remains necessary as a reference point during stage one and two of load shedding.
“It is only not applicable during stage three, where Eskom has full control on load shedding process.
