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Eskom implements Stage 3 loadshedding over the weekend following over ten months of
uninterrupted power supply – Summer Outlook remains unchanged.
[STATEMENT] by Eskom Spokesperson Daphne Mokwena.

Following over 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 is being implemented from 17:00 today until Sunday midnight.
Eskom will give an update on Sunday, 2 February 2025.
“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 seven days, we have experienced several breakdowns that require extended repair
times. This has necessitated the use of all our emergency reserves, which now need to be
replenished over the weekend,” concluded Marokane.
“The structural improvements and efficiency gain we have made to our coal-fired generation fleet
to date are safe and the R16.30 billion saved in diesel spend from 1 April 2024 to 30 January
2025 is also safe,” said Group Executive Generation, Bheki Nxumalo.
“The weekend loadshedding allows for the replenishment of the Open-Cycle Gas Turbines and
pumped storage reserves in preparation for next week. We are committed to ensuring that South
Africa is in no way returning to the levels of loadshedding that we experienced in 2023,” concluded
Nxumalo.
Summer Outlook prediction remains unchanged
Eskom’s Summer Outlook, published on 26 August 2024, projected that in a scenario where
unplanned outages reach 14 000MW, Stage 1 loadshedding may be implemented. Should
unplanned outages increase to 15 000MW, Stage 2 loadshedding could be required.
While unplanned outages have increased to 13 313MW, they have been on a downward trend,
averaging 12 087MW from 01 April 2024 to 30 January 2025, with Unplanned Capacity Loss
Factor (UCLF) at 7.3% lower than the same period last year. Additionally, diesel savings were at
R16.30 billion—about 60.2% lower than the R27.09 billion spent during the same period last
year— While diesel consumption remains below the year-to-date budget, it will be used
strategically to manage electricity demand during peak times.
A total of 3 410MW will be returned to service by 3 February 2025 to ease pressure on the grid
and further enhance the reliability of supply.
Ongoing planned maintenance at 6 177MW, aligns with our summer maintenance strategy to
further improve reliability of our generation fleet in preparation for winter 2025 and beyond.
Tonight’s evening peak demand is estimated at 24 612MW.

Published by: #Mfanelo_Uphenyibheshu_Dzanibe
👨‍💻 Graphic Designer #Banele_Sondl