Eskom has indicated that Stage 8 loadshedding – representing 16 hours of cuts in a 32-hour cycle – is possible this winter if coal plant breakdowns breach 18 000 MW and demand rises in sync with what is forecast to be a colder winter than was the case in 2022. However, interim CEO Calib Cassim continues to insist that the risk of a total blackout is low.
Giving an update on the electricity grid on Thursday, acting Eskom CEO Calib Cassim said the power utility had fallen short in its generation capacity targets that were supposed to be met by the end of March this year.