Eskom warns loadshedding could return this winter: Here's when
As South Africa braces for the colder months ahead, Eskom has revealed that loadshedding could return this Winter. While the utility believes it can maintain uninterrupted power supply, it has warned that loadshedding could make an unwelcome comeback if unplanned outages exceed critical thresholds.
According to the latest projections, South Africans could avoid the frustration of scheduled power cuts if unplanned outages remain below 13GW. However, should these outages climb to 15GW, we could face up to 21 days of Stage 2 loadshedding. That is a scenario that, while disruptive, still represents significant progress compared to last year's worst-case projection of Stage 5.
'We've seen meaningful improvements in system reliability,' notes Dan Marokane, Eskom's Group Chief Executive. 'But we're not out of the woods yet.' Marokane highlighted particular concerns about the period from January to April 2025, which presented unexpected challenges for the utility.
The outlook reflects Eskom's ongoing recovery efforts, with unplanned outages dropping by an encouraging 3.1GW compared to Winter 2024. This year's forecast anticipates unplanned outages between 13 and 15GW, down from last year's range of 14 to 17GW.
The utility has also ramped up its planned maintenance schedule, increasing maintenance activities to 12.8% for the 2025 financial year, up from 12% in the previous year. This proactive approach aims to strengthen the grid's resilience during peak demand periods.
For ordinary South Africans, the question remains: are your backup plans in place should Eskom falter in meeting these targets? While the utility's performance has certainly improved, prudent households might still want to keep those emergency lights charged and alternative cooking methods at hand, just in case.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa defends transformation, we must dispense false notion
Ramaphosa said economic growth without transformation entrenches exclusion and transformation without growth is unsustainable. President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended transformation, saying black empowerment is 'vital to inclusive economic growth.' Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa emphasised that 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, the country is reminded of its 'aspiration that the people shall share in the country's wealth.' 'Our Constitution reflects the promise we made to one another and to future generations to redress the injustices of our past and realise the full potential of our country. 'For this reason, we reaffirm that broad-based black economic empowerment is not just a policy choice but a constitutional imperative,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urges employers to give BEEI youths their 'next opportunity' Inequality The president said that according to Statistics SA, between 2006 and 2023, black African households experienced real income growth of 46%, coloured households of 29% and Indian households of 19%. 'Despite this progress, the average income of white households is still nearly five times higher than that of black African households. This is the gulf we must close through deliberate and sustained efforts to expand opportunity. 'Transformation is not a favour. It is a necessity. The inequality of our past continues to shape the lives of millions of black South Africans. And yet many who continue to benefit from the legacy of exclusion continue to decry black economic empowerment and are even challenging it in our courts,' Ramaphosa said. 'False notion' Ramaphosa said economic growth without transformation entrenches exclusion, and transformation without growth is unsustainable. 'We must dispense with the false notion that we must make a choice between growth and transformation. 'We also need to challenge the notion that broad-based black economic empowerment is a cost to the economy. It is actually an investment in the economy,' Ramaphosa said. Last week, Ramaphosa came out swinging against critics of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), questioning whether their opposition is rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. ALSO READ: US visit came amid 'increasing strain' between two countries, Ramaphosa says
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
More snow and biting cold ahead this week
South Africans must brace themselves for ice cold weather conditions to continue until Thursday. The first of many more cut-off low-system cold fronts that will come this winter season hit at the weekend. Significant snowfall was reported over parts of the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape, with mountain passes closed as more snow is expected. The cold temperatures will also continue, following the first two cold fronts of the season that made landfall over the country this weekend. South African Weather Service senior forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said temperatures were expected to start recovering to normal winter temperatures from Thursday afternoon as the cold front passes. Rain, winds and snow Thobela said warnings of disruptive rain, damaging winds and disruptive snow over the eastern areas remain, with cloudy and cold conditions expected over the central and eastern parts of the country. Disruptive rain and snow are expected to fall over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Associate professor in meteorology at the University of Pretoria Liesl Dyson said while climatology suggests that Pretoria receives about 20% of the number of snow events that occur in Johannesburg, snow is rare in Pretoria. ALSO READ: Will there be snow in Gauteng? Here's what area will turn white this week Storms expected in Pretoria Dyson said it was still too warm for snow in Pretoria and surrounds, but added that a few storms were on the cards. 'But there is a slight chance of snow over the Witwatersrand overnight. The cut-off low responsible for the cold and rain over large parts of South Africa is still lying west of Gauteng and will move over the province overnight. 'Some showers are possible when this happens and some freezing precipitation may be present in the showers,' she said. Dyson said this would lead to bitterly cold overnight minimum temperatures plummeting to below-freezing in high-lying areas. Snow in the three Capes Vox Weather meteorologist Annette Botha said snow sightings have been reported over the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape and ice rain in the Free State and North West. 'Forecasts indicated more than half a metre of snow was expected to fall on the mountain passes near Barkly East, the southern Drakensberg and Lesotho. Gauteng has been ruled out of the snow forecast but ice rain is expected,' she said. Botha said the most dangerous part of the current cold front was the scorpion cell that was expected to dump heavy rain over the Eastern Cape. NOW READ: Power system under pressure but stable, despite cold front
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Here are the numbers behind the Digital Transformation Task Force's mission
The B20's Digital Transformation Task Force has announced a bold strategy to close the world's digital divide and drive inclusive economic growth through infrastructure development, skills training, and innovation. With 32% of the global population still offline, and a $1.7 trillion (R30 trillion) investment gap in digital infrastructure, the Digital Transformation Task Force is calling for urgent action to connect underserved communities. In low-income regions, digital inequality is especially stark – 15% more men than women have access to the internet. The task force has warned that without intervention, these disparities will widen, further entrenching social and economic divides. The strategy also highlights the need for a major shift in digital skills. By 2030, 22% of current jobs will be affected by digital transformation, while 92 million jobs could be displaced. Meanwhile, 84 million children and youth are projected to be out of school, compounding the workforce readiness challenge. Economic growth is also a key focus. In 2022, US digital economy activities contributed 6.3% to real gross domestic product (GDP). Looking forward, AI-driven productivity could boost global GDP by 7%. However, small businesses still lag – producing only half the output of larger companies. These priorities are captured in the task force's Aspiration Statement, which advocates for policies that ensure accessible digital infrastructure, promote workforce readiness, and encourage strategic investments. The statement calls on governments and the private sector to champion innovation, economic growth and the bridging of the digital divide. With coordinated global efforts, the task force aims to foster a more inclusive and prosperous digital future. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
