{"id":29147,"date":"2025-09-15T12:06:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T10:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=29147"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:51:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:51:19","slug":"eskom-120-days-without-load-shedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/eskom-120-days-without-load-shedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Eskom Reaches 120 Days Without Load Shedding in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>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\u2019s achievement signals real progress in taming the so-called \u201clord of darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/eskom-load-reduction-schedule-2\/\"> Eskom Load Reduction Schedule: Gauteng Facing Power Cuts This Week<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-breaking-a-decade-long-pattern\">Breaking a Decade-Long Pattern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis achievement is especially significant,\u201d said Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time in eight years that we\u2019ve recorded such low unplanned losses. The last time we saw anything close was on 16 November 2013.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For households in Gauteng \u2014 where blackouts have disrupted schools, hospitals, and small businesses \u2014 the news offers a rare sense of stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-307257759\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-driving-the-progress\">What\u2019s Driving the Progress?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Eskom credits its Generation Operational Recovery Plan for the turnaround. The plan hinges on tighter maintenance schedules, stronger operational discipline, and improved planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis success reflects the recovery plan at work,\u201d Mokwena said. \u201cIt also confirms the load-shedding-free summer forecast we shared earlier this month. It\u2019s a heartening sign of improved energy reliability for South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-mixed-picture-diesel-dependence\">A Mixed Picture: Diesel Dependence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u2014 nearly double last year\u2019s figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDiesel expenditure fluctuates with system demand and operational requirements,\u201d Mokwena explained. She added that while September\u2019s fuel costs have stabilised, the heavy reliance on diesel remains one of Eskom\u2019s biggest financial pressures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4087438264\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gauteng-s-ongoing-challenge-load-reduction\">Gauteng\u2019s Ongoing Challenge: Load Reduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even as load shedding fades, <strong>load reduction<\/strong> continues to squeeze communities. This practice cuts power during peak-demand hours to prevent localised grid failures caused by overloading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between April and June 2025, load reduction eased slightly, dropping from 544MW to 529MW. Limpopo and Mpumalanga recorded the biggest gains \u2014 13% and 5% reductions respectively. Gauteng, however, saw far slower progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-this-milestone-matters\">Why This Milestone Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLoad shedding robbed South Africans of productivity, dignity, and peace of mind for more than 15 years,\u201d said a Johannesburg-based energy analyst. \u201cThis milestone shows that with proper planning, accountability, and investment, the crisis can be contained.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2247239295\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-road-ahead-ending-load-reduction\">The Road Ahead: Ending Load Reduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Eskom has set its sights on phasing out load reduction entirely. By March 2026, it plans to cut incidents by 15\u201320%, with full elimination targeted within two years. To get there, the utility will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Return 2 835MW of generation capacity to the grid this month.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep breakdowns below the critical 6,000MW threshold through rigorous maintenance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand grid infrastructure in high-demand areas like Gauteng.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Partner with renewable energy providers to reduce reliance on diesel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For communities still trapped in the cycle of targeted cuts, these steps could mean the difference between precarious living and sustainable energy security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-keeping-the-lights-on-what-must-happen-next\">Keeping the Lights On: What Must Happen Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/news\/eskom-hammerd-more-nails-lord-darkness-coffin-milestone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eskom\u2019s 120-day streak<\/a> proves progress is possible \u2014 but South Africa\u2019s energy crisis isn\u2019t over. The state, private sector, and civil society must push for accountability, investment, and a diversified energy mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> South Africans deserve an energy-secure future. Eskom has made progress \u2014 now the pressure must stay on to deliver reliable, affordable power to every household and business<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s achievement signals real progress in taming the so-called \u201clord of darkness.\u201d ALSO READ: Eskom Load Reduction Schedule: Gauteng Facing Power Cuts This Week Breaking a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":29149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"South Africans have reached a milestone many once thought impossible: 120 consecutive days without load shedding. For a country that has lived with rolling...","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[343,345],"class_list":{"0":"post-29147","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-eskom","9":"tag-load-shedding"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29147"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29150,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29147\/revisions\/29150"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}