Eskom warns of possible load shedding after 10 months of stable power

As South Africans prepare to wrap up the first month of 2025, Eskom has issued a warning about a high risk of load shedding over the upcoming weekend. This comes after more than 10 months of uninterrupted electricity supply, raising concerns among citizens who had hoped that power cuts were a thing of the past.

Eskom’s Load Shedding Alert

On Friday, January 31, 2025, Eskom announced that due to unexpected breakdowns in its power generation fleet, there is a possibility of load shedding being implemented at short notice.

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane acknowledged that while the situation is concerning, it is expected to be a temporary setback rather than a long-term return to rolling blackouts.

“This is a potentially temporary setback. Load shedding is largely behind us due to the structural improvements in our generation fleet. However, over the past seven days, we have experienced several breakdowns that require extended repair times. This has necessitated the use of all our emergency reserves, which now need to be replenished,” said Marokane.

Potential Load Shedding Stages

Eskom has warned that if emergency reserves are not adequately restored in time, the country could face load shedding of up to Stage 4 over the weekend. This means power outages of up to four hours at a time, depending on the schedule for each area.

The power utility reassured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation and that every effort is being made to avoid or minimize power cuts.

What Led to This Setback?

Eskom explained that the need for possible load shedding arises due to:

• Several unit breakdowns over the past week that require extended repair times.
• Increased demand for electricity during peak hours.
• Depleted emergency reserves, which need to be replenished to maintain grid stability.

While the country has seen notable improvements in power generation capacity, Eskom emphasized that these unexpected breakdowns have put temporary strain on the system.

Government’s Response to the Situation

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, alongside Eskom officials, is expected to provide a detailed update on the status of the electricity grid on Friday afternoon.

The briefing will likely cover:

• The current performance of power stations and generation capacity.
• The estimated time for repairs on broken units.
• Eskom’s plan to restore emergency reserves.
• Possible long-term measures to ensure sustained power supply.

South Africans will be keen to hear whether this is truly a temporary issue or a sign of more power cuts to come.

How South Africans Can Prepare

With the risk of load shedding up to Stage 4, residents and businesses are advised to:

• Check Eskom’s load shedding schedule on their website or the EskomSePush app.
• Charge essential devices such as phones, laptops, and power banks in advance.
• Prepare alternative lighting sources like candles, battery-powered lights, or generators.
• Avoid using high-energy appliances like geysers, ovens, and pool pumps during peak hours.
• Ensure backup power solutions (such as UPS systems) are functional, especially for work and medical devices.

Is Load Shedding Returning for Good?

Despite this warning, Eskom maintains that its overall performance has improved significantly due to structural changes in power generation. However, this latest setback serves as a reminder that South Africa’s electricity crisis is not completely over and that continued maintenance and investment are needed to prevent future disruptions.

South Africans will have to wait for further updates from the government and Eskom to see whether the risk of load shedding will continue beyond the weekend or if this will indeed be a short-term issue.

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