Eskom load-shedding warning

Eskom has warned that there is a high risk of load-shedding after six generation units broke down over the past 12 hours.

The power utility warns that it will have to implement Stage 2 load-shedding at short notice if it loses another 800MW of generating capacity.

“Eskom has issued an urgent alert regarding a high risk of load-shedding at short notice this evening due to several generation unit breakdowns,” it said.

“Over the past twelve hours, six generation units have been taken offline, placing severe strain on the power system and requiring the use of emergency reserves.”

“If an additional 800MW is lost, Eskom will be compelled to implement Stage 2 load-shedding at short notice,” it added.

The power utility says efforts are underway to return units to service between the evening peaks on Monday, 24 March, and Tuesday, 25 March 2025.

In a later update, Eskom said it managed to keep the system stable on Monday, 24 March, but warned that load-shedding may still be implemented at short notice if required.

“Work continues to bring six generation units back online, with one unit already restored. Our teams are closely monitoring the situation, and we will provide further updates as needed,” it said.

This comes after Eskom last implemented Stage 2 load-shedding between 18:25 on Wednesday, 19 March, and 05:00 on Thursday, 20 March.

The short bout of load-shedding was due to five generation units breaking down before the evening peak demand period.

The power utility later revealed that two of these units were from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa hydro dam.

“The previous load-shedding events this year were primarily as a result of insufficient emergency reserves that needed to be replenished following extended delays in returning units to service after maintenance,” explained Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane.

However, the load-shedding last week was different.

Marokane explained that, with the system being constrained and the use of emergency reserves planned to manage peak demand, the loss of five generating units prior to the peak introduced a generation capacity shortage.

Unfortunately, Eskom was unable to mitigate the shortage, necessitating load-shedding.