Gauteng residents and businesses face scheduled power outages, also known as load reduction, every week. This essential exercise enables Eskom to manage the national power grid’s electricity demand and prevent widespread blackouts. The load reduction schedule for the week of 13 to 19 October 2025 outlines which areas will be without electricity and during which hours. This article details the timing of these outages and explains how Eskom manages these load reductions.
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What Is Load Reduction?
Load reduction is a controlled process where Eskom temporarily switches off electricity in specific areas. This helps balance supply and demand, preventing overloads on the national grid. By managing these outages, Eskom can avoid widespread blackouts and safeguard the country’s energy infrastructure.
Why Is There Load Reduction in Gauteng?
Gauteng, as South Africa’s economic center, experiences high electricity demand due to its dense population and industrial activity. Eskom must implement load reduction to manage the limited generation capacity available. Generator failures at power stations, maintenance needs, and unexpected surges in demand further complicate the situation.
Schedule Summary: 13 – 19 October 2025
This week, Gauteng will experience load reduction in two main time slots each day:
- Morning hours: 05:00 to 09:00
- Evening hours: 17:00 to 22:00
- Outage duration: Between 5 to 6 hours.
These outages will impact daily activities such as cooking, heating water, and using electrical appliances. Below is a unified load reduction schedule for the entire week, indicating which areas will be affected.
Weekly Load Reduction Schedule: 13–19 October 2025
| Day | Time | Block | Areas Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, 13 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block A | Garankuwa Units 2, 4, 5, 16, 20, 23 & 25, Ivory Park Ext 10, Kaalfontein Ext 1, 2 & 5 |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block B | Dube & Dube Ext 1, Meadowlands Zone 6, 7, 8 & 9, South Roodepoort, Gold Mine, Chiawelo, Diepsloot | |
| Block J | City of Johannesburg Rural Lakeside, Orange Farm, Extensions 1, 3, 8 & 7-East, Sebokeng, Vosloorus | ||
| Tuesday, 14 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block C | Kopanong & Kopanong Ext 1, Mabopane & Mobopane B, C, D, U, X, S, M, EW & CV, Winterveldt |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block D | Moroka, Dhlamini, Klipspruit, Chiawelo, Kagiso, Tsakane, Langaville | |
| Wednesday, 15 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block G | Tsakane Ext 5 & 11, Zithobeni & Zithobeni Extension 1 & 2, Winterveldt, Garankuwa Units 2, 6, 7, 8 |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block H | Vereeniging, Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Daveyton, Swazi Section, Etwatwa, Wattville | |
| Thursday, 16 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block E | Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Naledi, Mapanga, Tshongweni, Nhlapo |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block F | Diepkloof Zones 1-6, Orlando East, Soweto, Nomzamo, Phefeni Village, Spruit View | |
| Friday, 17 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block A | Garankuwa Units 2, 4, 5, 16, 20, 23 & 25, Ivory Park Ext 10, Kaalfontein Ext 1, 2 & 5 |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block B | Dube Ext 1, Meadowlands Zone 6, 7, 8, South Roodepoort, Cosmo City Ext 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | |
| Saturday, 18 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block C | Dobsonville & Extensions 5 & 7, Naledi, Moletsane, Tladi, Jabulani, Winterveldt |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block D | Rethabiseng, Kudube, Moroka, Dhlamini, Kagiso, Khutsong, Tsakane Ext 1, 8, 11, 12, Langaville Ext 3 | |
| Sunday, 19 October | 05:00 – 09:00 | Block E | Mapetla, Protea South, Chiawelo, Protea North, Naledi, Mapanga, Tshongweni, Nhlapo |
| 17:00 – 22:00 | Block J | City of Johannesburg Rural Lakeside, Orange Farm, Extensions 1, 3, 8 & 7-East, Sebokeng, Vosloorus |
To make it easy for Gauteng residents to check when their area will be affected, an online search tool is now available. Simply visit the Gauteng Load Reduction Schedule to find your suburb or township and view your current load reduction times. The tool is updated regularly and allows you to plan your day around scheduled power interruptions.
How Does the Load Reduction Rotation Work?
Eskom’s load reduction schedule operates on a rotating basis, ensuring that different areas are affected each day. This system allows for predictability, enabling residents and businesses to plan. By rotating the areas affected, Eskom ensures no single region faces continuous outages.
Why Regular Load Reduction Could Continue
Even with efforts to stabilize the power sector, regular load reduction remains necessary due to several factors:
- Ongoing maintenance and repairs at power stations.
- Increased electricity demand, especially during peak periods.
- Integration of renewable energy sources into the grid takes time.
As Eskom continues balancing energy supply and grid stability, scheduled outages will remain a part of the energy management plan.
What You Can Do to Reduce the Effect of Load Reduction
To minimize the impact of load shedding, consider the following tips:
- Invest in solar energy or a backup generator for continuous power.
- Precharge electronics and have power banks available.
- Use alternative cooking methods, such as gas stoves or portable cookers.
- Preserve food by limiting the opening of refrigerators and freezers.
By staying up-to-date with the load shedding schedule, you can adjust your day and reduce disruptions caused by power outages.
Take Action for a Greener Future
To reduce dependence on the national grid, now is the time to consider green energy solutions. Solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and backup power systems can help you take control of your energy needs. By investing in renewable energy, you can reduce the disruptions caused by load shedding and contribute to a more sustainable future.
