Electricity Minister vows to end load reduction

Electricity and Energy Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the days of load reduction are nearing an end, with new measures in place to completely phase it out.

Ramokgopa made the announcement on Thursday, noting a significant improvement in the country’s generation capacity, which has risen from 48% in 2023 to 70% this year.

This marks the first time Eskom’s fleet has sustainably surpassed the 70% energy availability target since it was introduced by the board as part of its turnaround plan.

The minister acknowledged that load reduction gives the appearance of income discrimination, as it mainly affects poorer communities, creating the impression that government is penalising the vulnerable.

While promising an end to blackouts in about a year, Ramokgopa also addressed the financial strain on consumers.

He noted that electricity prices have surged by 937% between 2007 and last year—compared to just 155% for inflation—placing an enormous financial burden on all South Africans, regardless of income.

Eskom’s Acting Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, highlighted how this has created a widening gap between the price of electricity and the value of tokens.

 

Load reduction has eased in 2025, averaging 529 megawatts during winter peaks—down from 544 megawatts in April—mostly in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng.

Eskom aims to reduce this by at least 15–20% by March 2026 and eliminate it completely within the next two years.

The utility’s improved performance is also expected to boost its financials this year, thanks to major diesel savings and the impact of higher tariffs.

Additionally, Ramokgopa revealed that over 700 of Eskom’s transformers are failing, largely due to illegal connections. This affects 1.6 million customers—or 8.5 million people when factoring in family members.

The minister outlined a plan to refurbish and maintain critical infrastructure to address the crisis.

Although rolling blackouts remain suspended, several areas continue to experience persistent power cuts.

“Today I announced our bold, ambitious and yet practical Implementation Plan to end load-reduction affecting over 1.69 million customers across the length and breadth of our country.

There should be no single community/customer that is denied the right to access electricity. We… pic.twitter.com/b0Wb4ExaRI

— Department of Electricity and Energy (@DOEE_ZA) September 25, 2025

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe