ESKOM TARGETS END OF LOAD REDUCTION BY 2027

Eskom says it is making steady progress toward ending load reduction in affected neighbourhoods, with the power utility targeting a full phase-out by 2027.

Load reduction which has heavily affected parts KAE is implemented when a local electricity network becomes overloaded. According to Eskom, the measure is necessary to prevent transformer explosions, cable damage and prolonged outages that can leave entire communities without power for days.

Unlike load shedding, which is caused by a national power shortage, load reduction is a local network protection measure.

Eskom says the main cause of overloads is illegal electricity connections and meter bypassing, which forces infrastructure to carry more electricity than it was designed for.

What Eskom is doing about load reduction:

• Rolling out smart meters to monitor electricity usage in real time
• Managing demand on overloaded networks
• Expanding the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme to qualifying households
• Restoring affected areas once usage stabilises

The power utility says more than 100,000 households have already been removed from load reduction schedules after networks stabilised.

What residents can do

Eskom is calling on communities to assist in protecting local infrastructure:
• Report illegal connections and electricity theft
• Do not bypass meters
• Allow installation of smart meters when Eskom teams visit
• Register for Free Basic Electricity (FBE) if you qualify

According to Eskom, accepting smart meters helps ensure fair usage and reduces the risk of transformer failures that lead to long outages.

Eskom says the number of communities affected by load reduction has already decreased significantly, and if current interventions continue, the practice could become “a thing of the past” by next year.

KAE News will monitor developments and report to the community.