Eskom announced on Monday that the rolling blackouts have been lessened and that it intends to bring 14 units to operation this week, thereby reducing the strain on the electricity grid.
“On Tuesday morning, stage four loadshedding will be imposed from 5 a.m. until 4 p.m. The fifth stage of load shedding will thereafter be enforced everyday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to an Eskom statement.
However, the troubled power company emphasized that its announcement contains a significant degree of uncertainty, stating that the modifications will only be achievable in their entirety if the units return to service as scheduled.
Stage 4 loadshedding will be enforced on Tuesday from 05:00 to 16:00, followed by Stage 5 loadshedding on Wednesday from 16:00 to 05:00.
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom SA) January 16, 2023
On January 6, Eskom acquired an additional 50 million litres of diesel. It was stated that this will be utilized judiciously to maintain the pumped storage dam levels and limit the amount of daily loadshedding.
The company further stated that any modifications will be communicated as soon as they occur.
On Thursday of last week, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa authorized the cash-strapped state-owned electric company an 18.65% hike in electricity rates, effective in April, and a 12.74 % increase for 2024.
This indicates that overall electricity price hikes over the next two years will exceed 30 percent.
Eskom had previously requested a 32% rise for the 2023/2024 fiscal year and an additional 9% increase for the 2024/2025 fiscal year in an effort to recoup more than R300 billion in losses over the years.
»Eskom reduces loadshedding levels to four and five stages«