Eskom confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday morning that load shedding is set to make an ugly return.
The struggling state utility tweeted on Wednesday morning Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented nationwide immediately.
“Due to a shortage of capacity stage 2 load shedding is to be implemented from 9 am to 11pm today. Media statement with more details to follow,” the company tweeted.
Understandably, it rocketed to the top of the twitter trends list. At the time of writing, Eskom is yet to release more details of the affected areas.
#PowerAlert Due to a shortage of capacity stage 2 loadshedding is to be implemented from 9 am to 11pm today. Media statement with more details to follow @CityPowerJhb @City_Ekurhuleni @CityTshwane @CityofJoburgZA @CityofCT @ewnupdates @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @eNCA @SAgovnews
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 16, 2019
The statement comes as a shock, as Eskom stated as recently as September that no load shedding is expected over the summer following accusations by the Democratic Alliance.
“Eskom communicated its summer plan on the 4th September 2019 at a media briefing held at Megawatt Park, where we indicated that while no load shedding is expected over summer, the risk however remains as the system is still tight and vulnerable, as we ramp up plant maintenance,” it said at the time.