JB Marks Temporary Load Reduction Schedule
Following the critical failure at the Potch DS Substation, the JB Marks Local Municipality has released a detailed rotational load shedding schedule to manage the current infrastructure strain. This proactive measure is designed to protect the single operational transformer on the 66 kV line, which has been prone to severe overheating and automatic tripping.
Strategic Infrastructure Management
Technical assessments have confirmed that the regional grid is currently split between a stable 132 kV line and a compromised 66 kV line. The following schedule applies specifically to the areas served by the 66 kV infrastructure, those that experienced the initial trip on May 7th. By rotating outages across various secondary substations (Alpha through Epsilon), technical teams aim to lower the core temperature of the primary transformer while repairs continue.
Comprehensive Load Shedding Schedule: May 9 – May 11, 2026
The municipality has outlined specific time blocks for affected zones across the next three days:
Saturday, 09 May 2026
06:00 – 10:30: Miederpark, Grimbeeckpark (Epsilon); CBD, Mooirivier Mall, River Walk Mall, Municipal Offices (Delta).
10:00 – 14:30: Promosa, Mohadin, Vuselela College area, Kenneth McArthur Stadium, CBD (Beta).
14:00 – 16:30: Ikageng Proper and Extensions (Ikageng Main).
16:00 – 20:30: Industrial Area, Suiddorp, Potch Hospital (Alpha).
20:00 – 22:30: Dassierand, Kanonierspark, Bult (up to Steve Biko), Military Base, Witrand (Gamma).
06:00 – 10:30: Promosa, Mohadin, Vuselela College area, Stadium, CBD (Beta).
10:00 – 14:30: Ikageng Proper and Extensions (Ikageng Main).
14:00 – 16:30: Industrial Area, Suiddorp, Potch Hospital (Alpha).
16:00 – 20:30: Dassierand, Kanonierspark, Bult, Military Base, Witrand (Gamma).
20:00 – 22:30: Miederpark, Grimbeeckpark (Epsilon); CBD, Malls, Municipal Offices (Delta).
06:00 – 10:30: Ikageng Proper and Extensions (Ikageng Main).
10:00 – 14:30: Industrial Area, Suiddorp, Potch Hospital (Alpha).
14:00 – 16:30: Dassierand, Kanonierspark, Bult, Military Base, Witrand (Gamma).
16:00 – 20:30: Miederpark, Grimbeeckpark (Epsilon); CBD, Malls, Municipal Offices (Delta).
20:00 – 22:30: Promosa, Mohadin, Vuselela College area, Stadium, CBD (Beta).
Outlook for Restoration
Eskom technicians are currently onsite awaiting the installation of spare parts for the second transformer. If the repair schedule holds, normal operations are expected to resume by early next week, which would render this temporary schedule obsolete. Residents are advised to stay alert to immediate restorations if the transformer temperature drops significantly between these scheduled blocks.
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