South Africans are once again facing power cuts. Eskom announced the return of Stage 2 load shedding from Tuesday, 14 May 2025, during the evening peak periods (4 pm to 10 pm) until Thursday, 16 May. This comes as the power utility grapples with limited generation capacity, compounded by delays in maintenance and unexpected breakdowns.
Despite recent improvements in grid performance, the energy crisis is far from over. The current setback highlights the grid’s ongoing vulnerability to disruptions.
ALSO READ: Gauteng Power Outage Alert: Eskom Load Reduction and City Power Maintenance Plans
Why Is Load Shedding Back?
According to Eskom, the main cause of this latest round of load shedding is the delayed return of generation units totaling 3,120MW, paired with a further loss of 1,385MW due to unplanned breakdowns in just 24 hours. This sudden reduction in available capacity has pushed the grid into a critical state, especially during high-demand periods in winter.
“The primary reason for this setback is the delay in returning several units from planned maintenance,” Eskom stated.
Currently, unplanned losses have exceeded 13,000MW, a threshold that aligns with Eskom’s Winter 2025 Outlook risk scenarios. If unplanned outages rise above 15,000MW, the utility warns that South Africa could face up to 21 days of load shedding at Stage 2—a significant, yet improved, prediction compared to Stage 5 in winter 2024.
Eskom’s Winter Outlook: A Mixed Bag
Last week, Eskom released its Winter 2025 Power System Outlook, showing cautious optimism. According to the report, load shedding should be avoidable as long as breakdowns remain under 13GW. Encouragingly, the utility noted that load shedding incidents have significantly decreased compared to previous years.
This optimism is backed by statistics: in the last financial year, 96% of generating capacity was reportedly available—a massive leap from the 9% availability recorded the year before.
Emergency Reserves and Maintenance Efforts
To manage the winter demand, Eskom continues to strategically deploy emergency reserves. These are used sparingly but can help offset peak demand stress when generation capacity is strained.
The power utility also revealed that it is emerging from an intensive maintenance cycle, which, while vital for long-term reliability, has temporarily reduced flexibility in the system. This means the power grid becomes more sensitive to any further unplanned events or outages.
Eskom’s Response: Operational Excellence Programme
Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane announced that Eskom is taking concrete steps to address performance issues through its Operational Excellence Programme.
“We are reinforcing oversight, strengthening accountability, and aligning service providers with stricter performance standards,” said Marokane. “The delays in returning units are being addressed with urgency by senior leadership.”
This programme focuses on improving systems, empowering people, and refining processes to build a more resilient and efficient grid.
What This Means for Households and Businesses
With Stage 2 load shedding set for peak evening hours, households are advised to:
- Charge devices and power banks before 4 pm
- Prepare meals earlier in the day
- Use gas or solar alternatives where possible
- Switch off non-essential appliances to ease grid pressure
Businesses, especially in retail, hospitality, and healthcare, must revisit contingency plans and consider load shedding schedules, backup generators, and energy-saving measures to minimise disruption.
City Power & Municipal Warnings
In related updates, City Power has urged residents to use electricity sparingly during this critical period, warning that overloading during cold evenings could lead to localized trips and damage to infrastructure.
While Eskom insists that the energy system is in a stronger position than in previous winters, the current Stage 2 load shedding reminds us that energy stability remains fragile. The progress made through structural upgrades and emergency planning is encouraging, but South Africans are still being asked to brace for possible fluctuations as winter progresses.
Stay updated with Eskom’s latest announcements, and check your local load shedding schedule to prepare accordingly.
