Eskom’s Updated Load Reduction Plan for Gauteng – 28-31 July 2025

Eskom’s Updated Load Reduction Plan for Gauteng – July 2025

Eskom continues to implement a targeted load reduction programme across Gauteng throughout July 2025. This strategy assists in protecting the electricity grid from overload and damage due to high demand, illegal connections, and ageing infrastructure. Unlike traditional load shedding, load reduction involves temporarily switching off power to specific high-density areas during peak consumption hours to safeguard transformers and mini-substations.

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What Is Load Reduction?

Load reduction is a controlled measure to reduce stress on vulnerable parts of the electricity network. It differs from general load shedding in that it targets smaller, more specific areas rather than rolling outages across the whole grid. This helps to prevent emergency blackouts and equipment failure by managing demand proactively.

In areas where load reduction has been implemented in the past, Eskom has seen a significant reduction in equipment failure and prolonged outages.

Eskom’s ongoing load reduction programme addresses multiple challenges: illegal electricity connections that overload equipment, increased winter demand, and the need to maintain ageing infrastructure. This careful balancing act seeks to maintain grid stability and reliable supply for Gauteng residents and businesses.

Areas Affected in July 2025

Eskom’s load reduction in Gauteng follows a two-window daily schedule during the month:

• Morning: 05:00 to 09:00
• Evening: 17:00 to 22:00

These timeframes correspond to peak periods of electricity use when the grid is under most pressure.

Affected areas rotate regularly in blocks to ensure predictability and fairness. Key areas impacted during July include:

• Soweto (including Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Orlando East, Spruit View)
• Orange Farm and extensions
• Sebokeng and Evaton
• Vosloorus Extensions
• Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa
• Vereeniging and Sharpeville
• Kagiso and Meadowlands
• Jabavu and Naledi
• Tsakane and Vryburg

Additional affected locations include Monise, Mokoena, Dube, Duduza, and Mofolo (East, West, South).

Residents and businesses in these areas should prepare for short, scheduled power interruptions during the above windows. The load reduction programme operates every day of the week with rotating schedules for different blocks within the affected townships and suburbs.

Monday, 28 July 2025 Load Reduction Schedule

Time	Block	Area(s) Affected
05h00 – 09h00	Block A	Ivory Park Ext 8 & Ext 10 Kaalfontein Ext 1,2 and 5 Rabie Ridge Duduza Protea Glen Ext 11,12,4,7,8,12,14,2EAST,3EAST,1WEST,1EAST and Protea Glen Protea Glen Outlying & Protea South Outlying Westonaria NU-A Protea City Meadowlands Zone 1,2,7 WEST Rietvallei Outlying Kagiso Ext 12 and 14
17h00 – 22h00	Block B	Dube & Dube Ext 1, Mofolo-EAST, WEST, SOUTH, Meadowlands Zone 6,7,8,7, Meadowlands West Zone 9,10, Meadowlands East Zone 3,4, Luipaardsvlei, Riverside Hillsview-EAST, Jabavu Ext 1,2,3 WEST, Rietvallei Ext 2 and 3, Slovoville ext1 and South Roodepoort Main Reef Areas, Gold Mine Chiawelo, Cosmo City Ext 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10, Sonnedal AH, Sonnedal AH Proper and Zandspruit Outlying, Twala, Ngema, Makalu, Moshoeshoe, Skosana Credi, Ncala A, Monaheng, Kotloung, Skosana, Dinokana, Diepsloot West Ext 1,2,3
	Block J	Orange Farm Ext 7-East Orange Farm & Orange Farm Ext 1,2,3,4,8 Stretford Ext 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910 Sharpeville & Sharpeville Outlying, Tshepiso, Elandsfontein AH, Eikenhof, Lakeside Ext 5, Evaton & Evaton Central, Evaton Evaton Small FarmsBlockl and Supply, Evaton West Sebokeng Unit 1,7,8,12 Sebokeng Unit 1-EAST and 11 East Zonkizizwe, Katlehong South & Moleleki, Magagula Heights

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 Load Reduction Schedule

Time	Block	Area(s) Affected
05h00 – 09h00	Block C	Dobsonville & Dobsonville Ext 5,7 Naledi Mabopane C,E,U,W,V,X Mabopane M Ext 2 Winterveldt Ward 2,13 Jabulani , Moletsane, Tladi, Moletsane Naledi Emdeni & Emdeni Ext 2 Zola, Langaville, Tsakane & Tsakane Ext 15,18
17h00 – 22h00	Block D	Rethabiseng Kudube Moroka, Dhlamini, Klipspruit Dhlamini, Chiawelo Kagiso Khutsong Tsakane & Tsakane Ext 1,8,11 and Ext 12, Langaville Ext 3,

Wednesday, 30 July 2025 Load Reduction Schedule

Time	Block	Area(s) Affected
05h00 – 09h00	Block G	Tsakane Ext 5 & Tsakane Ext 11 Klippan, Mabopane U, B and Mabopane U Ext 1 Mabopane Part 19 SP Odinburg Gardens, Tsebe, Winterveldt Ext 3, Ward 11, Ward 9 Garankuwa Monese, Mokoena, Moseleke & Moseleke East Palime, Tsolo, Phooko, Ramakonopi East, Mopedi, Motsamai, Hlahatsi ,Phake Ga-Rankuwa & Ga-Rankuwa Unit 2 and Unit 6, Vryburg, Diepsloot, Mathibestad,
17h00 – 22h00	Block H	Vereeniging Sharpeville Sebokeng Unit 3,7,12,13,14,16,17,19 Sebokeng-EAST Westside Park-WEST Beverley Hills-EAST, Boitumelo, Evaton, Evaton Small Farms, Sebokeng Proper, Stretford, Westside Park-EAST Daveyton Ext 2,3, 4, Swazi Section, Tsonga Section, Xhosa Section Breswol AH, Emaphopheni Ext 36, Etwatwa Ext 3,4,7,8,10,15,21,30,31,32,33,36, Etwatwa Ext 2A,9A,Etwatwa SP, Endicott, Wattville

Thursday, 31 July 2025 Load Reduction Schedule

Time	Block	Area(s) Affected
05h00 – 09h00	Block E	Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Nooitgedacht, Makapanstad, Stinkwater, Naledi, Ruggraat, Nhlapo ,Tshongweni, Mapanga, Nhlapo ,Admin
17h00 – 22h00	Block F	Cuba, Graceland, Havana, Jetta, Lakeside, Palm Springs Diepkloof & Diepkloof Zone 1,2, and Zone 6, Orlando East Soweto Nomzamo Spruit View & Spruit View B, Spruit View Ext 1 B Thabiso

Why Is This Programme Necessary?

Eskom’s load reduction programme is critical to:

• Prevent transformer and mini-substation damage from excessive load due to illegal connections.
• Manage increased electricity demand, especially in the colder winter months when consumption spikes.
• Protect ageing infrastructure that requires careful load balancing to avoid failures.
• Maintain a stable supply and avoid the blackouts that a system-wide failure would cause.

By implementing controlled outages during designated periods, Eskom helps prolong the life of critical equipment and ensures a more reliable energy supply throughout Gauteng.

Advice for Residents and Businesses

Eskom recommends the following to minimise disruption and safeguard devices during load reduction periods:

• Plan essential activities around the scheduled power outage windows.
• Switch off and unplug sensitive electronic appliances to prevent damage from power fluctuations.
• Use alternative power sources, such as generators or inverters, where possible.
• Stay informed by regularly checking Eskom and City Power official websites and social media for any changes to schedules.
• Report any illegal electricity connections to authorities to support smoother load management.

Combat the winter cold by wrapping yourself in blankets and minimizing your need for heaters. Not only will you stay toasty, but you'll also witness a favorable change in your electricity costs. #SaveEnergy #SpendLessOnElectricity pic.twitter.com/3K9CIJWH4F

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) July 27, 2025

Transition in Load Management

City Power, the municipal electricity provider for Johannesburg, is gradually taking over load reduction operations from Eskom in certain areas. This transition aims to improve operational efficiency but is undergoing technical fine-tuning. Eskom continues to collaborate closely with City Power to ensure a stable electricity supply and to resolve any unscheduled outages during this period.

Feel reassured as winter approaches with comfort that power is stable and reliable. Eskom Reports Stable Electricity Supply Heading into Winter Peak. Click to read what this means for your household and energy planning.

Staying Prepared Amid Inconvenience

While load reduction can be inconvenient for residents and businesses, it remains a vital measure to protect Gauteng’s power infrastructure. By following schedules and preparing in advance, consumers can help minimise the impact and support a stable electricity system during these challenging times.