Eskom Scales Back Load‑Shedding for Over a Million Homes
Progress So Far
Eskom announced that more than one million customers are now free from load‑reduction schedules. Specifically, 1,099,430 households—about 65 % of the utility’s target—no longer face planned power cuts. Five provinces have completely exited the program, and 544 of the 971 feeders originally earmarked for load reduction have been taken off the list.
How Smart Meters Help
A key driver behind the rollback is the widespread installation of smart meters. Eskom has deployed 1,861,180 smart meters nationwide, with 472,100 of them placed on feeders that previously experienced load reduction. Roughly 93 % of these meters are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu‑Natal—regions where electricity demand and losses are highest. The smart‑meter network allows Eskom to monitor usage in real time, detect illegal connections, and manage grid load more efficiently.
Cutting Diesel Use
Improved generation performance has also slashed the utility’s reliance on diesel‑powered turbines. Between April 1 and June 18, 2026, Eskom spent R640.27 million on diesel, a drop of more than 85 % compared with the R4.515 billion spent in the same period the previous year. Fewer unplanned outages and higher plant availability have made it possible to meet demand without burning large amounts of fuel.
What This Means for South Africa
For households and businesses, the changes translate to fewer surprise blackouts and more predictable electricity supply. By targeting high‑loss areas and upgrading infrastructure, Eskom aims to reduce the need for load‑reduction measures while tackling electricity theft and illegal connections that strain the grid.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Eskom’s goal is to eliminate load reduction nationwide by 2027. Continued investment in smart‑meter rollout, network upgrades, and theft‑prevention initiatives will be essential to reaching that milestone. If current trends hold, more South Africans can expect a steadier power supply in the coming years.
Conclusion
Eskom’s progress—removing over a million customers from load‑reduction plans, expanding smart‑meter coverage, and cutting diesel consumption—shows a clear path toward a more reliable electricity system. While challenges remain, the utility’s focused efforts are already delivering tangible relief to millions of South Africans.
