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We regret and sincerely apologise that Stage 4 loadshedding moved to Stage 6 loadshedding from 18:00 to 23:00, as a result of a shortage of capacity caused by a number of unexpected events including the following:

• The power supply to the incline conveyors feeding coal to the silos at Medupi power station failed causing coal-feeding issues resulting in a loss of a number of units.  
• At Kriel, there was flooding at both the Kriel mine and the power station leading to no coal deliveries via the conveyor belt.
• Camden experienced abnormally high rain at approximately 250mm over the past week leading to flooding impacting the boiler and turbine hall and other critical infrastructure that is connected to coal supply and handling inside the station

Our technical teams have been hard at work and we are starting to see recovery at Medupi. The incline conveyor belts are now feeding coal into the station to a limited degree.

We assure customers that loadshedding is a responsible act and highly controlled process, implemented to protect the country from a national blackout.  Stage 6 is no cause for alarm as the system is being effectively controlled as we take out 6000 MW on a rotational basis. Stage 6 loadshedding schedules are available on the Eskom website.

Eskom's emergency response command centre and technical teams will be working through the night to restore units as soon as possible. Eskom is also working closely with large industry users to assist with further demand management and we are grateful.

We continue to ask customers to reduce demand as a concerted collective effort can help to avoid or lessen the level of loadshedding. As we are experiencing rainy and cooler weather conditions in some parts of the country, we ask that you use efficient heating to keep warm and switch off your geysers over peak periods.

Eskom customers can check their loadshedding schedules on the Eskom website (loadshedding.eskom.co.za) or through the customer contact centre on 0860037566. Municipal customers can consult their suppliers for the schedules.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience during this difficult period.

Issued by Eskom