Gauteng residents are once again facing scheduled power interruptions as Eskom continues its ongoing load reduction programme. While these measures may be inconvenient, they are necessary for the long-term health and stability of the electrical grid, ensuring that the lights stay on in the future. Here is an overview of the weekly load reduction schedule, why it’s important, and how you can prepare for these interruptions.
What is Load Reduction and Why is It Necessary?
Load reduction is a strategic approach used by Eskom to manage electricity demand in high-pressure periods, such as during peak hours. It involves temporarily cutting off power to certain areas to prevent overloading of transformers and mini-substations. These power cuts are crucial for avoiding damage to critical electrical infrastructure and mitigating the risk of more widespread blackouts.
Illegal connections and electricity theft also put significant strain on the grid, which further complicates Eskom’s ability to supply power efficiently. Load reduction helps manage these risks by preventing equipment failures during times of excessive demand.
When Will Load Reduction Occur This Week?
Eskom has set a regular schedule for load reduction that runs from Monday to Sunday. Power cuts are planned for peak demand periods twice daily:
- Morning outages: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Evening outages: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
This means that affected areas will experience interruptions lasting between five to six hours, depending on their location.
For more updates on Eskom’s efforts to strengthen the power grid, read about how Eskom boosts power supply ahead of the G20 Summit.
How Does the Load Reduction Schedule Rotate?
To provide some predictability for residents and businesses, Eskom uses a seven-day rotational schedule. This allows different areas to experience outages on different days. While the specific areas impacted change from day to day, the routine nature of the schedule helps residents plan their activities more effectively, especially when it comes to work, school, or other essential services.
By rotating the outages, Eskom ensures that no one area bears the brunt of power cuts week after week, and that all affected communities have the opportunity to manage their energy use.
Load Reduction Schedule for This Week (12–18 August 2025)
Tuesday, 12 August 2025 Load Reduction Schedule
| Time | Block | Areas Affected |
| 05h00 – 09h00 | Block H | Vereeniging Sharpeville Sebokeng Unit 3,7,12,13,14,16,17,19 Sebokeng-EAST Westside Park-WEST Beverley Hills-EAST, Boitumelo, Evaton, Evaton Small Farms, Sebokeng Proper, Stretford, Westside Park-EAST Daveyton Ext 2,3, 4, Swazi Section, Tsonga Section, Xhosa Section Breswol AH, Emaphopheni Ext 36, Etwatwa Ext 3,4,7,8,10,15,21,30,31,32,33,36, Etwatwa Ext 2A,9A,Etwatwa SP, Endicott, Wattville |
| Block J | Orange Farm Ext 7-East Orange Farm & Orange Farm Ext 1,2,3,4,8 Stretford Ext 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910 Sharpeville & Sharpeville Outlying, Tshepiso, Elandsfontein AH, Eikenhof, Lakeside Ext 5, Evaton & Evaton Central, Evaton Evaton Small FarmsBlockl and Supply, Evaton West Sebokeng Unit 1,7,8,12 Sebokeng Unit 1-EAST and 11 East Zonkizizwe, Katlehong South & Moleleki, Magagula Heights | |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Block E | Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Nooitgedacht, Makapanstad, Stinkwater, Naledi, Ruggraat, Nhlapo ,Tshongweni, Mapanga, Nhlapo ,Admin |
Wednesday, 13 August 2025 Load Reduction Schedule
| Times | Block | Areas Affected |
| 05h00 – 09h00 | Block D | Rethabiseng Kudube Moroka, Dhlamini, Klipspruit Dhlamini, Chiawelo Kagiso Khutsong Tsakane & Tsakane Ext 1,8,11 and Ext 12, Langaville Ext 3, |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Block C | Dobsonville & Dobsonville Ext 5,7 Naledi Mabopane C,E,U,W,V,X Mabopane M Ext 2 Winterveldt Ward 2,13 Jabulani , Moletsane, Tladi, Moletsane Naledi Emdeni & Emdeni Ext 2 Zola, Langaville, Tsakane & Tsakane Ext 15,18 |
Learn more about Eskom’s Solar Registration Campaign and its impact on energy sustainability.
Thursday, 14 August 2025 Load Reduction Schedule
| Times | Block | Areas Affected |
| 05h00 – 09h00 | Block B | Dube & Dube Ext 1 Mofolo-EAST, WEST, SOUTH Meadowlands Zone 6,7,8,7 Meadowlands West Zone 9,10 Meadowlands East Zone 3,4 Luipaardsvlei Riverside Hillsview-EAST Jabavu Ext 1,2,3 WEST Rietvallei Ext 2 and 3 Slovoville Ext 1 and South Roodepoort Main Reef Areas Gold Mine Chiawelo Cosmo City Ext 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10 and Sonnedal AH, Sonnedal AH Proper and Zandspruit Outlying , Twala, Ngema, Makalu, Moshoeshoe, Skosana Credi , Ncala A, Monaheng, Kotloung, Skosana, Dinokana Diepsloot West Ext 1,2,3 |
| Block J | Orange Farm Ext 7-East Orange Farm & Orange Farm Ext 1,2,3,4,8 Stretford Ext 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910 Sharpeville & Sharpeville Outlying, Tshepiso, Elandsfontein AH, Eikenhof, Lakeside Ext 5, Evaton & Evaton Central, Evaton Evaton Small FarmsBlockl and Supply, Evaton West Sebokeng Unit 1,7,8,12 Sebokeng Unit 1-EAST and 11 East Zonkizizwe, Katlehong South & Moleleki, Magagula Heights | |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Block A | Ivory Park Ext 8 & Ext 10 Kaalfontein Ext 1,2 and 5 Rabie Ridge Duduza Protea Glen Ext 11,12,4,7,8,12,14,2EAST,3EAST,1WEST,1EAST and Protea Glen Protea Glen Outlying & Protea South Outlying Westonaria NU-A Protea City Meadowlands Zone 1,2,7 WEST Rietvallei Outlying Kagiso Ext 12 and 14 |
Friday, 15 August 2025 Load Reduction Schedule
| Times | Block | Areas Affected |
| 05h00 – 09h00 | Block I | Monise, Mokoena, Mavimbela, Zuma, Ramakonopi East , Likole, Radebe & Sali, Zuma, Monosi, Moseleke, Mngadi, Ndhlazi, Radebe & Sali, Cala, Moseleke, Hlongwane Mfundo Park Ext 30 B Vosloorus A & Vosloorus B Vosloorus Ext 4,9,10,16, 23,31,32,(B) Vosloorus Ext 2,3,5,7,9,11,13,14,16, 22,25,26,31 Vosloorus Ext 6,10,16,23,31, (A ) Spruit View Ext 1 A Mabuya Park A and Mabuya Park B, , Nguni section A, Ap Khumalo, Moleleki, Kwenele, Moleleki, |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Block H | Vereeniging Sharpeville Sebokeng Unit 3,7,12,13,14,16,17,19 Sebokeng-EAST Westside Park-WEST Beverley Hills-EAST, Boitumelo, Evaton, Evaton Small Farms, Sebokeng Proper, Stretford, Westside Park-EAST Daveyton Ext 2,3, 4, Swazi Section, Tsonga Section, Xhosa Section Breswol AH, Emaphopheni Ext 36, Etwatwa Ext 3,4,7,8,10,15,21,30,31,32,33,36, Etwatwa Ext 2A,9A,Etwatwa SP, Endicott, Wattville |
Saturday, 16 August 2025 Load Reduction Schedule
| Times | Block | Areas Affected |
| 05h00 – 09h00 | Block J | Orange Farm Ext 7-East Orange Farm & Orange Farm Ext 1,2,3,4,8 Stretford Ext 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910 Sharpeville & Sharpeville Outlying, Tshepiso, Elandsfontein AH, Eikenhof, Lakeside Ext 5, Evaton & Evaton Central, Evaton Evaton Small FarmsBlockl and Supply, Evaton West Sebokeng Unit 1,7,8,12 Sebokeng Unit 1-EAST and 11 East Zonkizizwe, Katlehong South & Moleleki, Magagula Heights |
| Block G | Tsakane Ext 5 & Tsakane Ext 11 Klippan, Mabopane U, B and Mabopane U Ext 1 Mabopane Part 19 SP Odinburg Gardens, Tsebe, Winterveldt Ext 3, Ward 11, Ward 9 Garankuwa Monese, Mokoena, Moseleke & Moseleke East Palime, Tsolo, Phooko, Ramakonopi East, Mopedi, Motsamai, Hlahatsi ,Phake Ga-Rankuwa & Ga-Rankuwa Unit 2 and Unit 6, Vryburg, Diepsloot, Mathibestad, | |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Block F | Cuba, Graceland, Havana, Jetta, Lakeside, Palm Springs Diepkloof & Diepkloof Zone 1,2, and Zone 6, Orlando East Soweto Nomzamo Spruit View & Spruit View B, Spruit View Ext 1 B Thabiso |
Sunday, 17 August 2025 Load Reduction Schedule
| Times | Block | Areas Affected |
| 05h00 – 09h00 | Block A | Ivory Park Ext 8 & Ext 10 Kaalfontein Ext 1,2 and 5 Rabie Ridge Duduza Protea Glen Ext 11,12,4,7,8,12,14,2EAST,3EAST,1WEST,1EAST and Protea Glen Protea Glen Outlying & Protea South Outlying Westonaria NU-A Protea City Meadowlands Zone 1,2,7 WEST Rietvallei Outlying Kagiso Ext 12 and 14 |
| 17h00 – 22h00 | Block B | Dube & Dube Ext 1 Mofolo-EAST , WEST, SOUTH Meadowlands Zone 6,7,8,7 Meadowlands West Zone 9,10 Meadowlands East Zone 3,4 Luipaardsvlei Riverside Hillsview-EAST Jabavu Ext 1,2,3 WEST Rietvallei Ext 2 and 3 Slovoville ext1 and South Roodepoort Main Reef Areas Gold Mine Chiawelo Cosmo City Ext 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10 and Sonnedal AH, Sonnedal AH Proper and Zandspruit Outlying , Twala, Ngema, Makalu, Moshoeshoe, Skosana Credi , Ncala A, Monaheng, Kotloung, Skosana, Dinokana Diepsloot West Ext 1,2,3 |
Preparing for Load Reduction: Essential Tips
While load reduction is a necessary part of managing the grid, it can cause disruptions in your daily life. However, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the inconvenience:
- Charge essential devices in advance: Ensure your mobile phones, laptops, and other important devices are fully charged before outages.
- Store water: Water supply systems may be affected by load reduction, so storing a reserve of water for drinking and basic needs is a good idea.
- Avoid using electrical appliances during outages: To prevent damage to appliances when the power is restored, it’s advisable to avoid switching on electrical items immediately after a power cut.
- Stay updated: Eskom frequently updates its load reduction schedules. Keep an eye on the Eskom website or follow their social media accounts for any last-minute changes or important announcements.
Impact on Daily Life and Safety
The load reduction programme, while vital for grid stability, can have significant impacts on daily routines. Households may face challenges when cooking, working, studying, or performing other activities that require electricity. Additionally, businesses may need to make contingency plans to avoid disruptions, especially if they rely on power for essential operations.
In the case of businesses, investing in backup systems like generators or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems can be a good option to mitigate the effects of scheduled outages. For households, solar-powered lights, battery-powered fans, and other low-energy solutions can help during extended blackouts.
Why Does Load Reduction Continue Despite the Suspension of Load Shedding?
Although formal load shedding has been suspended for now, load reduction remains necessary due to the ongoing strain on Eskom’s infrastructure. Transformers and mini-substations across the country continue to face significant pressure, worsened by factors such as illegal electricity connections and power theft. These illegal activities not only endanger the power grid but also contribute to excessive load, making load reduction a key preventative measure.
By conducting scheduled power cuts, Eskom can proactively safeguard its infrastructure and prevent more severe and unplanned blackouts, which could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy and public safety.
Community Cooperation: The Role of Residents and Businesses
Eskom emphasises the importance of community cooperation in adhering to the load reduction schedule. This cooperation ensures that the power infrastructure remains protected and that the system as a whole can function as intended. It’s also important for residents and businesses to report any illegal connections or activities to Eskom to help alleviate unnecessary strain on the grid.
By managing consumption and observing the load reduction times, everyone plays a part in maintaining the long-term stability of South Africa’s electrical supply.
Navigating Load Reduction in Gauteng
While load reduction may seem like an inconvenience, it’s a necessary measure to ensure a more reliable electricity supply in the future. By understanding the weekly schedule and preparing for these interruptions, you can reduce the impact on your daily life. Keep an eye on Eskom’s updates, follow the load reduction schedule, and work together to protect the power grid.
With continued vigilance and cooperation, we can ensure that the lights stay on and that South Africa’s electrical infrastructure remains healthy for years to come.
