No loadshedding for 100 days: what South Africans need to know

Eskom has officially marked 100 consecutive days without loadshedding, signalling a significant turnaround in South Africa’s electricity supply and the growing reliability of the national power grid. The achievement is being hailed as a major operational milestone for the embattled utility.

Spokesperson Dapne Mokwena highlighted that this achievement builds on Eskom’s improved performance in 2024, when the utility delivered 352 days without load shedding — a dramatic improvement from the mere 36 days recorded in the 2023/24 financial year. “This 100-day streak is a clear sign that our Generation Recovery Plan, launched in March 2023, is producing tangible results,” Mokwena said.

So far this financial year, Eskom has reported only 26 hours of load shedding, translating to 144 days of uninterrupted electricity supply. Mokwena emphasised that these figures are more than just statistics: “They reflect the resilience and reliability that we are building into our generation fleet. Our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that South Africans can rely on their electricity supply.”

The utility also reported a significant drop in unplanned outages, which currently stand at 6 035 MW — well below the critical 7 000 MW threshold. This level of performance was last seen in September 2020, signalling a strengthening of Eskom’s operational and technical systems.

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Eskom says it intends to maintain this positive trajectory while also driving structural reforms and supporting South Africa’s transition to a more sustainable and competitive energy sector. The utility’s long-term focus is not only on preventing load shedding but also on creating a resilient and modern electricity grid capable of supporting economic growth. Analysts note that while milestones like 100 days without load shedding are encouraging, sustained performance over the next few years will be crucial to achieving energy security and public confidence in Eskom’s operations.

For consumers and businesses, this milestone offers tangible relief. Reduced power interruptions mean fewer disruptions to daily life, improved productivity for companies, and a stronger environment for economic growth. Energy-intensive sectors, particularly manufacturing and mining, stand to benefit significantly from a more reliable electricity supply.

Mokwena concluded, “Our journey is far from over, but this 100-day milestone is proof that we are moving in the right direction. Eskom is committed to keeping the lights on and supporting South Africa’s energy future.”