Thousands of Gauteng residents are expected to experience scheduled load reduction outages between 1 and 7 June 2026 as Eskom continues efforts to protect electricity infrastructure from overloading during peak demand periods. Communities across Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, the Vaal and parts of the West Rand are included in the latest weekly schedule.
The planned interruptions will take place during the morning peak period between 05:00 and 09:00 and the evening peak period between 17:00 and 22:00. Residents in affected areas are encouraged to check the schedule to determine when their communities will be impacted.
Unlike national load shedding, load reduction targets specific areas where electricity demand regularly exceeds network capacity.
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Weekly Load Reduction Timetable: 1 to 7 June 2026
| Date | Morning (05:00 to 09:00) | Evening (17:00 to 22:00) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 1 June | Block J – Orange Farm, Stretford, Sharpeville, Tshepiso, Evaton, Sebokeng, Katlehong South, Zonkizizwe, Moleleki | Block I – Vosloorus, Mabuya Park, Spruit View, Mfundo ParkBlock E – Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Naledi |
| Tuesday, 2 June | Block D – Rethabiseng, Kudube, Moroka, Dhlamini, Kagiso, Khutsong, Tsakane | Block C – Dobsonville, Naledi, Mabopane, Jabulani, Emdeni, Zola, Langaville |
| Wednesday, 3 June | Block A – Ivory Park, Kaalfontein, Rabie Ridge, Duduza, Protea Glen, Protea City, Westonaria | Block B – Dube, Mofolo, Meadowlands, Chiawelo, Cosmo City, Diepsloot WestBlock J – Orange Farm, Sharpeville, Evaton, Sebokeng |
| Thursday, 4 June | Block C – Dobsonville, Naledi, Mabopane, Jabulani, Emdeni, Zola | Block D – Rethabiseng, Kudube, Moroka, Dhlamini, Chiawelo, Kagiso |
| Friday, 5 June | Block G – Tsakane, Mabopane, Winterveldt, Garankuwa, Diepsloot | Block H – Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Evaton, Daveyton, Etwatwa, Wattville |
| Saturday, 6 June | Block E – Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Naledi | Block F – Diepkloof, Orlando East, Soweto Nomzamo, Spruit View |
| Sunday, 7 June | Block A – Ivory Park, Kaalfontein, Rabie Ridge, Duduza, Protea Glen, Protea City | Block B – Dube, Mofolo, Meadowlands, Chiawelo, Cosmo City, Diepsloot WestBlock J – Orange Farm, Sharpeville, Evaton, Sebokeng |
Why Eskom Uses Load Reduction
Load reduction is a targeted intervention aimed at preventing localised electricity infrastructure from collapsing under excessive demand.
According to Eskom, the programme is implemented in areas where:
• Electricity demand exceeds network capacity
• Illegal connections place pressure on the grid
• Transformers are frequently overloaded
• Network equipment is at risk of failure during peak usage periods
The utility says load reduction helps avoid equipment damage that could lead to longer unplanned outages.
Areas Appearing Multiple Times This Week
Several communities appear more than once on the weekly schedule.
These include:
• Orange Farm
• Sharpeville
• Evaton
• Sebokeng
• Chiawelo
• Naledi
• Dobsonville
• Mabopane
• Protea South
• Protea North
Residents in these areas may experience multiple interruptions throughout the week.
How Residents Can Protect Appliances During Scheduled Outages
Electricity restoration can sometimes cause power surges that damage household appliances and electronics.
Residents can reduce the risk by:
• Unplugging televisions, computers and gaming consoles before outages begin
• Switching off geysers and other high consumption appliances
• Using surge protection plugs where possible
• Avoiding switching all appliances back on simultaneously once electricity returns
• Keeping refrigerators and freezers closed during outages to preserve temperature
While load reduction is scheduled, electricity restoration times can vary depending on local network conditions.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The latest schedule means many households will face up to five hours without electricity during peak demand periods.
For residents, the interruptions may affect:
• Morning routines before work and school
• Small businesses operating during peak trading hours
• Remote workers relying on internet connectivity
• Traffic flow where signals are affected
• Evening household activities
Communities affected by load reduction may need to plan around the published outage periods throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is load reduction?
Load reduction is a targeted electricity interruption programme used to protect overloaded local networks from failure.
Is load reduction the same as load shedding?
No. Load shedding is implemented nationally when generation capacity is insufficient. Load reduction targets specific high demand areas.
How long will outages last?
Most interruptions on this schedule are planned for either 05:00 to 09:00 or 17:00 to 22:00.
Why are some areas affected more than once?
Certain areas experience consistently high demand and may therefore appear on multiple load reduction schedules.
Can outage times change?
Yes. Eskom may revise schedules depending on network conditions and operational requirements.
What Happens Next?
The current schedule covers the period from 1 to 7 June 2026. Eskom is expected to publish updated schedules should network conditions require further load reduction measures. Residents are encouraged to monitor official Eskom and municipal communication channels for any amendments to the programme.
