By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Eskom says that lower than anticipated demand on Friday (1 July) has given it room to reduce its planned stage 6 load shedding in the evening to stage 4.
The new schedule is as follows:
Friday (1 July)
Stage 4 load shedding until 22h00
Stage 2 load shedding from 22h00 to 00h00
Saturday and Sunday (2 and 3 July)
Stage 2 load shedding from 00h00 to 07h00
Stage 4 load shedding from 07h00 to 22h00
Stage 2 load shedding from 22h00 to 00h00
“Eskom cautions that this small reprieve is due to lower than anticipated demand during the weekend, and continues to evaluate the situation and closely monitor the system. We will communicate and implement any changes as may be necessary,” it said.
On Friday afternoon the power utility said that it has 3,104MW on planned maintenance, with 17,431MW of capacity unavailable due to breakdowns.
For access to other load shedding schedules, Eskom has made them available on loadshedding.eskom.co.za.
Smartphone users can also download the app EskomSePush to receive push notifications when load shedding is implemented, as well as the times the area you are in will be off.
Meanwhile NUMSA and NUM engages Eskom today in the central bargaining council in JHB. Other four crucial demands unions are expecting Eskom to meet include:
●Apartheid Wage Gap
●Conditions of Service
●2021 Wage negotiations
●R4000 housing allowance
The electricity utility is said to be willing to increase its wage offer to 7% in its meeting with trade unions for renewed negotiations that are taking place today in a bid to entice wildcat strikers back to work and to reduce higher stages of load-shedding.