Eskom
By Thabo Mosia
Johannesburg, 08 March 2025 – As South Africans brace themselves for yet another weekend of scheduled power cuts, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has stated that load shedding remains unavoidable while Eskom works tirelessly to stabilise the national grid. Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, the minister expressed his disappointment over the ongoing power outages but reassured the public that efforts are underway to restore electricity supply by Monday morning.
Eskom Implements Stage 3 Load Shedding Amid Unit Failures
Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, rolled out stage three load shedding on Friday, a measure it said would persist until Monday morning. The decision came after two units at Kusile Power Station and two more at Koeberg went offline, placing significant strain on the grid. According to Eskom’s latest updates, these outages have pushed the unplanned capacity loss factor (UCLF) to alarming levels, hovering between 14,000 and 18,000 megawatts in recent weeks.
The minister acknowledged the setbacks, pointing to three significant incidents in 2025 – on 1 February, 22 February, and now 6 March – that have disrupted the utility’s progress. “These episodes have not helped us remain on course,” Ramokgopa said, noting that they have eroded public and market confidence in Eskom’s ability to resolve the crisis.
Despite these challenges, Ramokgopa remained optimistic. “The level of ambition that we have set for ourselves during this window, we have made the point that we’re confident that come Monday, we should be in a position to get out of this current bout of load shedding,” he stated during the briefing.
ALSO READ: Eskom Steps Up Maintenance Work to Stabilise Grid Ahead of Winter
Eskom has intensified its planned maintenance programme since 2023, a strategy credited with reducing load shedding from its peak levels two years ago. According to a report by Business Day on 5 March 2025, the utility has prioritised maintenance to bolster grid reliability ahead of the winter season, when demand typically spikes. However, recent unit failures have undone some of this progress, leaving South Africans frustrated.
Ramokgopa explained that while the overall trend since 2023 has been positive, the latest outages highlight vulnerabilities. “The intensity of planned maintenance has been moving in the right direction,” he said. “But these setbacks are immense because they erode the public confidence in our ability to finally resolve this and disrupt the lives of ordinary people.”
Press Briefing Highlights: Accountability and Transparency
The Saturday briefing, attended by Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati, Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane, and Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo, was part of what Ramokgopa described as a “tireless effort to rise to the occasion of public accountability.” The minister opened the session with a heartfelt apology to South Africans.
“I really want to start by again conveying my sincere apology to the rest of the country for the gross inconvenience caused by load shedding,” Ramokgopa said. “We should never be accustomed to load shedding. It’s an anomaly, and it’s something that we’re working very hard to ensure that we’re able to liquidate.”
He emphasised the broader economic implications, echoing sentiments from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address. “It’s going to undermine the key aspects of the growth story that the president had articulated,” he warned, highlighting how load shedding hampers revenue generation and infrastructure development.
What Went Wrong? A Closer Look at Recent Outages
The latest round of load shedding was triggered by technical issues at Kusile and Koeberg, compounded by adverse weather conditions affecting coal supply operations in Mpumalanga. According to Eskom’s Marokane, the utility lost 1,000 to 1,500 megawatts due to maintenance slippages – units that were expected to return to service but failed to do so on schedule.
“We’ve seen the unplanned capability loss factor rising from around 15,000 in the middle of the week to 18,000 yesterday,” Marokane explained. “This is what triggered the stage three load shedding.” However, he reported progress, with 3,200 megawatts restored by Saturday morning, including units at Kusile brought back online overnight.
The Koeberg outages have raised additional concerns. A question from News24’s Nick Wilson during the briefing probed the reliability of Koeberg Unit 2, which tripped again on Wednesday after a brief return to service. Nxumalo clarified that the issue stemmed from defects, not nuclear safety concerns, and assured the public that the unit would be back online by Monday.
Public Frustration Mounts Over Sudden Announcements
South Africans have voiced growing frustration over the unpredictability of load shedding announcements. SABC journalist Ayanda Mhlongo asked why outages often seem to occur “at the drop of a hat,” leaving households and businesses scrambling to adapt. Marokane admitted that the system remains vulnerable during maintenance periods, particularly when unexpected failures occur.
“We try to give a heads-up as early as possible,” he said, referencing Friday’s announcement, which came hours after the situation deteriorated. “Yesterday’s situation transpired around 10:00 in the morning, and just after 13:00, we were able to fully assess the implications for the evening peak.”
The board chairperson, Nyati, acknowledged the need for better communication. “We know what got us eight months of no load shedding – discipline and doing the right things right all the time,” he said. “We need to go back to that kind of structure to instill a culture of accountability.”
Systemic Issues and a Call for Change
Nyati revealed that the Eskom board is taking decisive action to address systemic failures. The Business Operation Performance Committee, established in 2022, will lead efforts to identify root causes – from processes and systems to human factors – and implement interventions. “Things are not going to be business as usual within Eskom going forward,” he stressed, promising a more engaged and proactive approach.
The minister echoed this sentiment, hinting at non-technical issues behind the setbacks. “There are areas where we have regressed,” he said, declining to elaborate publicly. “It requires honest conversation amongst us as a leadership core to ensure that we decisively deal with those areas.”
Ramokgopa plans to visit power stations like Lethabo, Matimba, and Kusile in the coming days to engage directly with staff and managers. “I’m an activist minister, technically sound,” he said. “I need to go to ground zero and have my own engagement.”
Looking Ahead: New Capacity and Winter Outlook
Eskom is banking on new generation capacity to ease the pressure. Kusile Unit 6 is set to synchronise with the grid by mid-March, followed by Medupi Unit 4 in early April. These additions, combined with tapering maintenance as winter approaches, are expected to bolster supply.
“We’ll announce the winter outlook in the next two to three weeks,” Ramokgopa said, promising greater clarity on how Eskom will navigate the high-demand season. Marokane added that diesel generators in Cape Town have been switched off to conserve fuel, with dam levels improving to support hydroelectric reserves.
Budget Expectations and Debt Relief
With Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana set to present a revised budget soon, Eskom is hopeful for continued support under the government’s R254 billion debt relief programme. “Our expectation is to hear from the minister how that will be handled for the remaining period,” Marokane said, noting that the relief has been critical to funding maintenance and recovery efforts.
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