Eskom Celebrates 100 Days Without Load Shedding as Grid Stabilizes

For South Africans weary of flickering lights and rolling blackouts, the news could not come soon enough: Eskom has celebrated 100 consecutive days without load shedding, marking a milestone in the utility’s efforts to stabilize the national grid.

As of Friday, unplanned outages across the country fell to 7 265MW, the first time since 2020 that the figure remained under 8 000MW. The milestone is being hailed as a direct result of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan (GRP), aimed at improving plant performance and reliability.

Winter Power Woes Avoided

Winter has historically been a tense period for electricity supply in South Africa, with cold temperatures pushing demand higher and often triggering load shedding. Yet, Eskom reports meeting more than 97% of electricity demand this winter, and only 26 hours of interruptions were recorded between April and 21 August 2025.

“South Africans shouldn’t worry about Eskom burning through billions in diesel,” said Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. He explained that diesel usage earlier in the year was a planned support measure, ensuring reliability during challenging periods.

Steps Toward Stability

Eskom continues to bolster its grid. On 25 August 2025, the utility returned 4 850MW of generation capacity, a move expected to further strengthen stability as South Africa transitions into the summer months.

“Eskom’s sustained technical improvements have ensured a reliable power system,” spokesperson Daphne Mokwena noted. “With just over a week remaining in the Winter Outlook period, the system is well-positioned to meet demand reliably.”

A Brighter Future?

After years of rolling blackouts and public frustration, the recent performance indicates that Eskom may finally be emerging from a long period of instability. For many households and businesses, 2025 has offered a welcome reprieve: winter without the dread of power cuts and a sense that the national grid is on the road to recovery.

As Eskom navigates the balance between planned maintenance, diesel usage, and renewable integration, South Africans can, at least for now, enjoy uninterrupted power and a glimpse of a more stable energy future.

{Source: The Citizen}

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