As South Africa braces for the colder months ahead, Eskom has revealed that loadshedding could return this Winter. While the utility believes it can maintain uninterrupted power supply, it has warned that loadshedding could make an unwelcome comeback if unplanned outages exceed critical thresholds.
What could be the cause of Eskom bringing loadshedding back this winter
According to the latest projections, South Africans could avoid the frustration of scheduled power cuts if unplanned outages remain below 13GW. However, should these outages climb to 15GW, we could face up to 21 days of Stage 2 loadshedding. That is a scenario that, while disruptive, still represents significant progress compared to last year’s worst-case projection of Stage 5.
“We’ve seen meaningful improvements in system reliability,” notes Dan Marokane, Eskom’s Group Chief Executive. “But we’re not out of the woods yet.” Marokane highlighted particular concerns about the period from January to April 2025, which presented unexpected challenges for the utility.
What measures is Eskom taking to prevent loadshedding this winter?
The outlook reflects Eskom’s ongoing recovery efforts, with unplanned outages dropping by an encouraging 3.1GW compared to Winter 2024. This year’s forecast anticipates unplanned outages between 13 and 15GW, down from last year’s range of 14 to 17GW.
The utility has also ramped up its planned maintenance schedule, increasing maintenance activities to 12.8% for the 2025 financial year, up from 12% in the previous year. This proactive approach aims to strengthen the grid’s resilience during peak demand periods.
South Africans may be in for a dark winter
For ordinary South Africans, the question remains: are your backup plans in place should Eskom falter in meeting these targets? While the utility’s performance has certainly improved, prudent households might still want to keep those emergency lights charged and alternative cooking methods at hand, just in case.
As winter approaches, are you ready for potential loadshedding if Eskom doesn’t meet expectations?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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