Load shedding: Eskom keeps Stage 4 in place on Monday 18 March

Stage 4 load shedding will be kept in place from 9:00 to 23:00 on Monday 18 March and is likely to persist for most of the week, says Eskom.

South Africans, after suffering the frustrating and disrupting effects of intermittent load shedding on the weekend, will be afforded no reprieve as they enter the work week on Monday. Worryingly, Eskom, the national power supplier, is expected to be put under even more strain as the demand for electricity naturally increases when the gears of industry begin to turn.

Eskom warns of rough week ahead The power utility wasn't able to meet demand over the weekend, when usage was at its lowest. This doesn't bode well for the week ahead.

On Saturday morning, the situation devolved rapidly; moving from Stage 2 load shedding to Stage 4 within three hours. The difference between the two stages being 2000MW. Eskom's excuse, that cyclone Idai mangled the transmission of hydroelectric imports from Mozambique, didn't sit well with energy analysts and has since been refuted.

Either way, the country was plunged into protracted darkness, with Stage 4 load shedding embattling regions for longer periods of time, more frequently throughout the day. Some areas suffered three to four blackouts in the space of 24 hours - anomalies within the context of the appropriate load shedding schedule.

Stage 4 load shedding, Monday 18 March Stage 2 Loadshedding will continue until 09h00 this morning whereafter we will move to Stage 4 loadshedding to 23h00. This is due to a shortage of capacity. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. @CityPowerJhb @City_Ekurhuleni @CityofCT @eThekwiniM @CityTshwane

- Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 18, 2019 @Eskom_SA technicians are on site working on repairing a cable fault that occurred after load shedding in Sunninghill. The team is working hard to restore supply as soon as possible. At this stage the ETR is 02:00. Areas affected is Lonehill and Sunninghill @CityPowerJhb

- Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 17, 2019 After a horrid weekend, late on Sunday night, Eskom released an official statement noting its precarious position and warning of a rough week ahead. The statement said:

Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented on Monday 18 March from 09h00 to 23h00. On Tuesday 19 March up to Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented. This is due to a shortage of capacity.

Despite the seriousness of the current load shedding schedule, Eskom reiterated that there was no need for alarm', saying:

We remind customers that Stage 4 is no cause for alarm as the system is being effectively controlled.

Tags: electricityEskomload sheddingSouth Africa

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/load-shedding-today-monday-18-march/...
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