Gauteng Load Reduction Schedule – February 2026

Several parts of Gauteng are experiencing scheduled electricity outages as part of Eskom’s ongoing load reduction programme. The interruptions affect households, businesses, and essential services across multiple municipalities and are expected to last between four and five hours at a time. Eskom says the measure is necessary to protect local electricity infrastructure in areas where demand regularly exceeds network capacity.

The load reduction schedule operates on a seven-day rotation, with different areas affected on different days and during either morning or evening peak periods.

ALSO READ: Fuel Prices Drop Again From Feb 4, New Petrol & Diesel Costs

Load Reduction for the Whole of February

Electricity authorities have clarified that the published load reduction schedules apply from 1 to 28 February 2026, with no mid-month end date currently planned.

Load reduction differs from national load shedding in that it is implemented locally to manage demand and prevent damage to substations, transformers, and cables. Even when load shedding is suspended, load reduction may continue in affected areas.

Residents should expect interruptions to occur daily, based on the rotating block system.

Why Load Reduction Is Being Implemented

Load reduction is used when electricity demand in specific areas exceeds what local infrastructure can safely handle.

According to electricity officials, Gauteng continues to experience high demand due to population density, illegal connections, ageing infrastructure, and seasonal usage patterns. Without controlled interruptions, authorities warn that prolonged and unplanned outages could occur.

Load reduction aims to stabilise the network and avoid equipment failures that could leave areas without power for days.

How the Load Reduction System Works

Load reduction is implemented using blocks, with each block affected during specific time windows on specific days.

Key points residents should understand:

• Load reduction is scheduled and rotational
• It applies at the municipal or regional level
• Different blocks are affected each day
• Interruptions usually occur during peak demand times

Schedules may be adjusted if system conditions change, but no changes to February’s full-month plan have been announced.

Gauteng Load Reduction Timetable for February 2026

Load reduction runs daily in three time windows, depending on the block affected.

Daily Time Slots

• 05h00 to 09h00
• 11h00 to 15h30
• 17h00 to 22h00

February 2026 Load Reduction Timetable (By Block)

Residents should check which block their suburb falls under, as each block includes multiple areas across the province.

Areas Most Affected

Load reduction has been concentrated in high-density residential areas and regions with historically constrained infrastructure. Authorities say areas with repeated overload issues are more likely to appear frequently on the rotation.

Officials have warned that additional areas could be added if demand increases.

Impact on Households, Businesses, and Commuters

The month-long schedule is expected to affect daily routines across Gauteng.

Households may experience interruptions to cooking, heating, internet connectivit,y and security systems. Small businesses operating from residential areas face disruptions to productivity and trading hours.

Traffic congestion may increase in areas where traffic lights are affected during peak travel times.

What This Means for Gauteng Residents

For Gauteng residents, confirmation that load reduction applies for the entire month of February means planning for repeated, predictable interruptions rather than one-off outages.

Schools, home-based workers, and small businesses will need to factor the rotating schedule into daily operations. The extended duration also highlights ongoing pressure on Gauteng’s electricity infrastructure as demand continues to outpace capacity in some areas.

FAQ: Gauteng Load Reduction February 2026

Is load reduction happening every day in February?
Yes. Load reduction applies throughout the entire month.

Is this the same as load shedding?
No. Load reduction is a local demand-management measure.

Will my area be affected every day?
No. Areas are affected according to rotating blocks.

Can the schedule change?
Yes, but only if formally announced by authorities.

Where do I find my block?
Blocks are assigned by municipality and include multiple suburbs.

What Happens Next

Electricity authorities say load reduction will remain in place until the end of February unless network conditions improve significantly.

Any changes to the schedule, including an early suspension or extension beyond February, would need to be formally communicated.

For now, residents are advised to treat February as a full load reduction month, with daily planning required as the situation remains under review.