South Africans have reached a milestone many once thought impossible: 120 consecutive days without load shedding. For a country that has lived with rolling blackouts for over a decade, Eskom’s achievement signals real progress in taming the so-called “lord of darkness.”
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Breaking a Decade-Long Pattern
Eskom confirmed that unplanned breakdowns dropped to 5 989MW, equal to the output of about ten generating units. This marks the lowest level since 2 July 2017, when breakdowns fell to 5,645MW, and only the second time in over a decade that losses dipped below the 6,000MW mark.
“This achievement is especially significant,” said Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena. “It’s the first time in eight years that we’ve recorded such low unplanned losses. The last time we saw anything close was on 16 November 2013.”
For households in Gauteng — where blackouts have disrupted schools, hospitals, and small businesses — the news offers a rare sense of stability.
What’s Driving the Progress?
Eskom credits its Generation Operational Recovery Plan for the turnaround. The plan hinges on tighter maintenance schedules, stronger operational discipline, and improved planning.
“This success reflects the recovery plan at work,” Mokwena said. “It also confirms the load-shedding-free summer forecast we shared earlier this month. It’s a heartening sign of improved energy reliability for South Africa.”
The contrast with recent summers is stark. Between September 2024 and March 2025, South Africa endured 13 days of load shedding. The year before, the country suffered 176 days of blackouts, when electricity was available only 17% of the time.
A Mixed Picture: Diesel Dependence
Behind the celebrations, a costlier reality looms. Eskom admitted it spent nearly R6 billion on diesel to keep the lights on during winter. From 1 April to 11 September 2025, its Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) plants generated over 1,000GWh of electricity — nearly double last year’s figure.
“Diesel expenditure fluctuates with system demand and operational requirements,” Mokwena explained. She added that while September’s fuel costs have stabilised, the heavy reliance on diesel remains one of Eskom’s biggest financial pressures.
Gauteng’s Ongoing Challenge: Load Reduction
Even as load shedding fades, load reduction continues to squeeze communities. This practice cuts power during peak-demand hours to prevent localised grid failures caused by overloading.
Between April and June 2025, load reduction eased slightly, dropping from 544MW to 529MW. Limpopo and Mpumalanga recorded the biggest gains — 13% and 5% reductions respectively. Gauteng, however, saw far slower progress.
Dense townships like Ivory Park, Orange Farm, and Sebokeng remain vulnerable. Families still lose hours of electricity, while businesses and schools bear the brunt of targeted outages.
Why This Milestone Matters
South Africa’s power crisis has long crippled economic growth, discouraged investment, and eroded public trust. For small businesses in Gauteng, 120 days of uninterrupted supply means longer trading hours, reduced losses, and renewed confidence.
Families, too, are breathing easier. They no longer need to plan meals, homework, or medical routines around blackout schedules. For matric students preparing for final exams, uninterrupted study time is a priceless relief.
“Load shedding robbed South Africans of productivity, dignity, and peace of mind for more than 15 years,” said a Johannesburg-based energy analyst. “This milestone shows that with proper planning, accountability, and investment, the crisis can be contained.”
The Road Ahead: Ending Load Reduction
Eskom has set its sights on phasing out load reduction entirely. By March 2026, it plans to cut incidents by 15–20%, with full elimination targeted within two years. To get there, the utility will:
- Return 2 835MW of generation capacity to the grid this month.
- Keep breakdowns below the critical 6,000MW threshold through rigorous maintenance.
- Expand grid infrastructure in high-demand areas like Gauteng.
- Partner with renewable energy providers to reduce reliance on diesel.
For communities still trapped in the cycle of targeted cuts, these steps could mean the difference between precarious living and sustainable energy security.
Keeping the Lights On: What Must Happen Next
Eskom’s 120-day streak proves progress is possible — but South Africa’s energy crisis isn’t over. The state, private sector, and civil society must push for accountability, investment, and a diversified energy mix.
For Gauteng residents, the message is clear: safeguard the gains, fix the weak points, and push for a future where both load shedding and load reduction are consigned to history.
South Africans deserve an energy-secure future. Eskom has made progress — now the pressure must stay on to deliver reliable, affordable power to every household and business.
