Eskom announces permanent load-shedding

Eskom will implement permanent load-shedding in South Africa for the next two years, the energy provider has confirmed.

Eskom chairman Mpho Makwana announced in a media call on Sunday that South Africans should expect continuous stage 2 and 3 load-shedding over this period.

“We want to create some predictability,” said Makwana. “Shuttling from one stage to the other is never good.”

Makwana added that this permanent load-shedding would form part of Eskom’s plan to increase its Energy Availability Factor (EAF) to a point where it could stop load-shedding within the next 24 months.

“The global average globally for EAF is about 86%. We’re looking to grow from our current 58% EAF to 70% in the next two years,” said Makwana.

The planned journey to 70% is hoped to take place on the following timeline:

• 60% EAF – 30 March 2023
• 65% – 30 March 2024
• 70% – 30 March 2025

Eskom chairman Mpho Makwana says SA should expect stage to to stage 3 continuouslt for the next 2 years, and that recovery will be slow.

— Chris Yelland (@chrisyelland) January 22, 2023

Stage 8 possibility ‘receding’

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter added that while there has been lots of speculation about Stage 8 load-shedding, this is no longer a likely scenario.

“The possibility of Stage 8 load-shedding is receding, which is comforting and positive,” said de Ruyter.

“However, there is always an inherent risk, and for that purpose we have to protect our diesel reserves.”

Now read: Goodbye Eskom — Power cuts forcing South Africans to build private solar

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

Eskom announces permanent load-shedding