Eskom Implements Stage 3 Loadshedding Over the Weekend Following 10 Months of Uninterrupted Power Supply – Summer Outlook Remains Unchanged
Friday, 31 January 2025
After more than 10 months of uninterrupted electricity supply due to the success of the Generation Recovery Plan, Eskom has encountered a temporary setback. As a result, Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 17:00 today (Friday) until midnight on Sunday to replenish emergency reserves. An update will be provided on Sunday, 2 February 2025.
Temporary Setback, but Loadshedding Remains Under Control
“This is a temporary setback, as loadshedding is largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.
Over the past week, several unplanned breakdowns requiring extended repair times have occurred. This has led to the depletion of emergency reserves, which must be replenished over the weekend to ensure a stable power supply in the coming weeks.
Despite this setback, significant progress has been made in improving the reliability of Eskom’s coal-fired generation fleet.
“The R16.30 billion saved in diesel spending from 1 April 2024 to 30 January 2025 is secure, and we remain committed to avoiding excessive loadshedding in the future,” said Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo.
What to Expect in the Coming Days
- Emergency reserves (Open-Cycle Gas Turbines and pumped storage) will be restored during the weekend.
- 3 410MW of generating capacity will return to service by 3 February 2025, easing pressure on the grid.
- Planned maintenance of 6 177MW remains in place to ensure long-term stability ahead of Winter 2025.
Tonight’s peak demand is estimated at 24 612MW.
Summer Outlook Remains on Track
Eskom’s Summer Outlook, published on 26 August 2024, projected that:
✅ If unplanned outages reach 14 000MW, Stage 1 loadshedding may be required.
✅ If unplanned outages reach 15 000MW, Stage 2 loadshedding may be necessary.
As of 31 January 2025, unplanned outages have reached 13 313MW but have been on a downward trend, averaging 12 087MW since 1 April 2024.
Key improvements include:
🔹 Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) is 7.3% lower than the same period last year.
🔹 Diesel spending is down 60.2% compared to last year, with R16.30 billion saved since April 2024.
🔹 Diesel usage remains below budget and will be used strategically during peak demand periods.
➡ What is UCLF? (Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor measures how much of Eskom’s generation capacity is lost due to unexpected breakdowns. A lower UCLF means fewer breakdowns, leading to improved power availability.)
Addressing Network Overloading and Illegal Connections
Eskom continues to face network overloading in certain areas due to:
❌ Illegal connections
❌ Vandalism & meter tampering
❌ Unauthorized network operations
❌ Theft of network equipment
To prevent power failures and public safety hazards, Eskom urges customers to:
✔ Report illegal connections to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
✔ Only purchase electricity from authorized vendors. View the list here.
Eskom’s Progress in Stabilizing the Grid
Eskom’s interim financial results for the first half of the 2025 financial year (1 April–30 September 2024) highlight substantial progress in improving generation performance:
✅ Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has improved to 62.96% (compared to 55.27% in September 2023).
✅ A reduction of 4 000MW in unplanned breakdowns (equivalent to four stages of loadshedding) has been achieved.
✅ On multiple occasions, EAF exceeded 70%, and unplanned losses (UCLF) dropped below 20%.
➡ What is EAF? (Energy Availability Factor measures the percentage of Eskom’s power stations that are available to generate electricity. A higher EAF means more reliable power supply.)
Looking Ahead: Eskom’s Commitment to Stability
While Stage 3 loadshedding is necessary this weekend, Eskom remains committed to preventing a return to the severe loadshedding levels of 2023.
📅 Next Update: Eskom will provide a status update on Friday, 7 February 2025, or sooner if significant changes occur.
