Analyst: Stage 8 load shedding might become a new reality

According to an energy expert, Stage 8 load shedding may become a new reality, implying that South Africans would be without electricity for more than 12 hours every day.

Mzansi, prepare for more gloom! According to energy expert Lungile Mashele, Stage 8 load shedding is on the way, which implies that people would be without electricity for more than 12 hours a day.

Eskom is now undertaking indefinite Stage 6 load shedding.

Mashele told eNCA that it is extremely likely that Eskom would execute Stage 8 rolling blackouts.

Mashele stated that if Eskom had not implemented Stage 6 load shedding on Wednesday, January 11, Stage 8 would have taken effect.

“Had they not reserved their diesel pump storage and if anything happened in the evening peak it would have most likely tipped us over to Stage 7 or Stage 8,” she said. 

Stage 6 blackouts leave South Africans without power for 10 – 12 hours per day, while Stage 8 blackouts leave them without power for 12 – 14 hours per day.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says President Cyril Ramaphosa is profoundly disappointed with the present energy situation, which has resulted in Eskom implementing Stage 6 load shedding.

On Thursday, January 12, Magwenya provided an update to the public on the President’s public programme and current concerns.

Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa has acknowledged the frustration of households, parents, and learners who have begun the school year with power outages.

“The devastation to small businesses and the adverse impact to the economy remains severe for South Africa’s recovering economy,” Magwenya said during the briefing.