South Africans had to deal with loadshedding almost everyday this week, but there is a little bit of relief as we enter the weekend.

According to Eskom’s System Status Bulletin, the available capacity should be more than the demand for Saturday and Sunday, but things will be going pear-shaped again from next week.

• Friday, 22 May: The capacity available is 31 479 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast at 31 599 MW.
• Saturday, 23 May: The capacity available is 32 666 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast at 30 385 MW.
• Sunday, 24 May: The capacity available is 32 519 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast at 30 610 MW.
• Monday, 25 May: The capacity available is 30 271 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast at 32 964 MW.
• Tuesday, 26 May: The capacity available is 30 271 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast at 33 043 MW.
• Wednesday, 27 May: The capacity available is 30 271 MW (including open cycle gas turbines) while demand is forecast at 32 931 MW.

“Eskom would like to assure customers that load shedding is implemented as a necessary measure to protect the power system and to ensure that maintenance is carried out in order to guarantee that our supply of electricity can be maintained in the long term,” the power producer said in a media statement.

[Image – CC by 2.0/Kerem Tapani]