E
skom has confirmed it will implement Stage 2 loadshedding during the evening peak periods from 16:00 on Tuesday, 13 May, until 22:00 on Thursday, 15 May 2025.
These Eskom power cuts are scheduled daily from 4pm to 10pm to manage limited generation capacity and ensure continued electricity supply during working days.
The announcement has sparked renewed public interest in load shedding today, as South Africans brace for further disruptions to daily life.
The power utility cited the delayed return of generation units amounting to 3,120 MW from planned maintenance as the primary cause of the shortfall.
Compounding the issue, an unplanned loss of 1,385 MW in the past 24 hours due to breakdowns has pushed the total unplanned capacity loss to over 13,000 MW, triggering the need for load shedding.
Need for Loadshedding
These developments align with the risk scenarios outlined in Eskom’s Winter 2025 Outlook, which warned that exceeding 13,000 MW of outages would necessitate power cuts.
Eskom explained that it is currently emerging from an intensive maintenance cycle—essential for long-term reliability—which temporarily reduces system flexibility and resilience. This makes the grid more vulnerable to unexpected disruptions and increases the likelihood of Eskom load shedding during high-demand periods.
In a statement, Eskom apologized for the inconvenience caused and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a reliable electricity supply. The utility highlighted that load shedding incidents have significantly decreased compared to previous years. Notably, 96% of generating capacity was available in the past financial year, a dramatic improvement from just 9% in previous years.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane emphasized the utility’s focus on restoring performance through a new Operational Excellence Programme. This initiative strengthens oversight, accountability, and service provider performance standards. He noted that senior leadership is urgently addressing the delays in returning units from maintenance to reduce the frequency and intensity of loadshedding.
Despite current pressures, Eskom remains optimistic about the grid’s improved position. Ongoing capacity expansion projects are expected to add approximately 2,500 MW to the system in the near future, which could help minimize future Eskom load shedding events.
The power utility will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as conditions evolve.
For the latest on loadshedding today, South Africans are encouraged to follow official Eskom communication channels.
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