Eskom and City Power continue to implement a load reduction programme across Gauteng in July 2025 to protect the electricity grid from damage caused by overload, illegal connections, and high demand. This controlled power interruption helps safeguard transformers and mini-substations, preventing widespread blackouts.
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What Is Load Reduction?
Load reduction involves temporarily switching off power to specific areas during forecasted peak periods. This differs from general load shedding as it targets high-density areas with unstable equipment. The programme aims to reduce pressure on the ageing electricity infrastructure and maintain grid stability.
Load Reduction Times
The current schedule follows two main daily windows:
- Morning: 05:00 – 09:00
- Evening: 17:00 – 22:00
These peak hours correspond to highest regional energy consumption, requiring load management to prevent equipment failure.
Areas Affected This Week
From Monday, 21 July to Sunday, 27 July 2025, load reduction will impact various townships, suburbs, and extensions across Gauteng. Notable areas include:
- Soweto: Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Orlando East, Spruit View
- Orange Farm: Extensions and surrounding areas
- Sebokeng and Evaton
- Vosloorus Extensions
- Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa
- Vereeniging and Sharpeville
- Kagiso and Meadowlands
- Jabavu and Naledi
- Tsakane and Vryburg
Additional affected locations: Monise, Mokoena, Dube, Duduza, Mofolo (East, West, South), Thabiso, and others.
Residents should consult official load reduction schedules to confirm specific days and times for their area, as the programme rotates blocks across each day for predictability.
Why Is Load Reduction Necessary?
The programme addresses the strain on the network caused by:
- Illegal electricity connections, burdening transformers and substations
- Increased electricity demand during winter months
- Ageing infrastructure requiring maintenance and protection
By reducing the load on vulnerable parts of the grid, Eskom and City Power aim to maintain reliable supply and prevent emergency blackouts.
Customer Guidance
Eskom advises affected households and businesses to:
- Plan around morning and evening power interruptions
- Switch off and unplug sensitive appliances during load reduction
- Use alternative resources where possible to minimise disruption
- Stay updated via Eskom’s and City Power’s official websites and social channels for any changes
Transition in Load Management Operations
City Power has recently taken over load reduction operations from Eskom in many areas of Johannesburg. This handover aims to enhance operational efficiency but is still undergoing technical fine-tuning. Eskom continues working closely with City Power to ensure a smooth transition and resolve occasional unscheduled outages.
Stay Ready
While load reduction brings inconvenience, it plays a critical role in protecting Gauteng’s power infrastructure during peak demand periods. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, prepare accordingly, and monitor official channels for updates.
Load Reduction Schedule for Gauteng from 21 July 2025 to 27 July 2025:
| Date | Time | Affected Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 21 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Orange Farm Ext 7-East, Orange Farm & Ext 1,2,3,4,8, Stretford Ext 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910, Sharpeville & Outlying, Evaton, Sebokeng Unit 1,7,8,12, Zonkizizwe, Katlehong South, Moleleki |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Ivory Park Ext 8 & 10, Kaalfontein Ext 1,2,5, Rabie Ridge, Duduza, Protea Glen, Meadowlands Zone 1,2,7, Rietvallei Outlying, Kagiso Ext 12,14 | |
| 22 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Dobsonville & Ext 5,7, Naledi, Mabopane C,E,U,W,V,X, Winterveldt Ward 2,13, Jabulani, Moletsane, Tsakane Ext 15,18 |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Tsakane Ext 5,11, Klippan, Mabopane U, B, Ext 1, Mabopane Part 19, Winterveldt Ext 3, Garankuwa, Vryburg, Mathibestad, Ga-Rankuwa Unit 2,6 | |
| 23 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Dobsonville Ext 5,7, Naledi, Mabopane, Winterveldt Ward 2,13, Jabulani, Emdeni & Ext 2, Zola, Langaville, Tsakane & Ext 15,18 |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Orange Farm Ext 7-East, Orange Farm & Ext 1,2,3,4,8, Stretford Ext 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910, Sharpeville, Evaton, Sebokeng Unit 1,7,8,12, Zonkizizwe, Katlehong South, Moleleki | |
| 24 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Vereeniging Sharpeville, Sebokeng Unit 3,7,12,13,14,16,17,19, Daveyton Ext 2,3,4, Etwatwa Ext 3,4,7,8,15,31 |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Nooitgedacht, Makapanstad, Stinkwater, Naledi, Ruggraat, Nhlapo, Tshongweni, Nhlapo, Admin, Magaliesburg | |
| 25 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Tsakane Ext 5,11, Klippan, Mabopane U, B, Mabopane Part 19, Odinburg Gardens, Tsebe, Winterveldt Ext 3, Ward 11, Ward 9, Garankuwa |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Dube & Dube Ext 1, Mofolo-EAST, WEST, SOUTH, Meadowlands Zones, Rietvallei, Slovoville | |
| 26 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Nooitgedacht, Makapanstad, Stinkwater, Naledi, Ruggraat, Nhlapo, Tshongweni, Nhlapo, Admin |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Tsakane Ext 5 & Tsakane Ext 11, Klippan, Mabopane, Winterveldt, Garankuwa, Monese, Mokoena, Moseleke, Ga-Rankuwa, Vryburg, Mathibestad, Tsakane Ext 12 | |
| 27 July 2025 | 05h00 – 09h00 | Rethabiseng, Kudube, Moroka, Dhlamini, Klipspruit, Tsakane & Ext 1,8,11,12, Langaville Ext 3 |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Tsakane Ext 15,18, Emdeni, Zola, Langaville, Chiawelo |
