Johannesburg, South Africa – While City Power has indefinitely suspended load reduction in areas under its jurisdiction, Eskom-supplied areas will continue to experience scheduled power cuts. Residents in these affected regions are urged to check their weekly load reduction schedules to prepare for potential disruptions.
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City Power Suspends Load Reduction – But Eskom Continues
On Monday, City Power announced that load reduction would be suspended indefinitely in its service areas. However, the utility’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, cautioned that this suspension is not permanent. Should electricity consumption spike due to illegal connections, meter tampering, or high demand, load reduction could be reinstated.
Despite City Power’s decision, Eskom remains firm on its load reduction measures. Eskom Gauteng spokesperson Amanda Qithi confirmed that the utility will continue implementing load reduction across areas it directly supplies. This means thousands of residents in Gauteng will still experience power cuts at different times throughout the week.
Eskom’s Load Reduction Schedule for the Week
Eskom’s load reduction schedule operates from Monday to Sunday, affecting various regions at different time slots. If you reside in an Eskom-supplied area, it’s crucial to check your local schedule to plan accordingly.
The following areas are among those impacted by ongoing load reduction:
- Soweto: Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Orlando East, Meadowlands, Jabavu
- Ekurhuleni: Spruit View
- Tshwane: Ga-Rankuwa
- Sedibeng: Vereeniging, Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Evaton
- West Rand: Kagiso
- Johannesburg South: Orange Farm
Residents in these locations should download Eskom’s official load reduction schedule for exact time slots and affected blocks.
Why Load Reduction is Necessary
Eskom reintroduced load reduction in January, following a temporary suspension during the festive season. The primary reasons for this measure include:
- Overloaded transformers and mini-substations – Illegal connections and excessive electricity use put immense pressure on infrastructure.
- Preventing equipment failure – Without intervention, overloaded equipment can suffer costly and prolonged damage.
- Managing energy demand – Load reduction helps balance supply and demand in high-consumption areas.
Eskom has repeatedly warned that illegal connections and electricity theft are major contributors to network instability. Without load reduction, some areas risk prolonged blackouts due to infrastructure failure.
How to Minimize the Impact of Load Reduction
If you live in an Eskom-supplied area, there are several steps you can take to lessen the impact of power cuts:
- Check your schedule regularly – Knowing when power will be reduced allows you to plan around outages.
- Use electricity wisely – Avoid overloading circuits, reduce unnecessary appliance use, and switch off high-energy devices during peak times.
- Report illegal connections – These connections strain the network and increase the likelihood of longer power cuts.
- Invest in alternative power solutions – Consider backup options like power banks, solar lights, or generators to stay prepared.
The Future of Load Reduction in South Africa
While City Power’s suspension of load reduction is a positive development, Eskom’s continued implementation signals that the country’s energy crisis is far from over. The possibility of reinstating load reduction in City Power areas remains if electricity demand spikes unexpectedly.
Eskom customers are encouraged to follow official updates from the utility and adhere to energy-saving guidelines to reduce pressure on the grid.
For the latest load reduction schedules, visit Eskom’s website or download the full list of affected areas. Stay informed and plan ahead to navigate ongoing power challenges.
