Eskom on Wednesday announced it does not expect to implement any load shedding during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The utility confirmed in a tweet that it is regarded as “an essential and critical services supplier” so a number of staff are exempt from the lockdown.

“As such we do not expect any impediments to the generation and supply of electricity during this period,” it added.

It explained that its coal suppliers are also allowed to work during the lockdown.

Eskom last implemented load shedding two weeks ago, when Koeberg nuclear power station experienced a fault at one of its two units.

At 4.20pm, planned and unplanned outages rendered 16.3 GW of Eskom’s generation capacity unavailable.

Memeburn’s additional Eskom and load shedding coverage

For more articles related to Eskom’s power crisis, be sure to visit and bookmark our Eskom coverage.

Looking for load shedding schedules? We’ve compiled a list of schedules, from stage 1 through 8, for the country’s largest cities and municipalities.

If you need a battery backup to get you through the dark, Gearburn takes a look at some of the highest used-rated UPS units on sale in South Africa.

Require pocket power instead? Gearburn takes a look at five power banks currently on sale in South Africa for under R200.

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Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn