South Africans will have to brace for another round of power cuts as Eskom has announced the implementation of Stage 3 loadshedding. The planned outages will commence at 14:00 on Friday, 7 March 2025, and will continue until 05:00 on Monday, 10 March 2025.
The decision follows a significant loss of 2,700MW in electricity generation over the past 14 hours. Eskom cited several contributing factors, including the unexpected shutdown of Koeberg Unit 2, operational issues at two Kusile power station units, and an increase in planned maintenance outages.
The company maintains that while baseload capacity remains constrained, its generation recovery plan is addressing these challenges, and a return to stable power supply is within reach.
Why is Eskom Implementing Stage 3 Loadshedding?
Eskom’s latest power cuts come as a result of several key issues that have further strained the national grid:
1. Sudden Loss of 2,700MW of Power
Eskom reported that in just 14 hours, it lost 2,700MW in generation capacity, making it impossible to sustain electricity demand without implementing loadshedding.
2. Koeberg Unit 2 Shutdown
The Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 2 was taken offline shortly after being brought back into service on Wednesday. This unit was expected to contribute significantly to the national grid, but its sudden breakdown has left a major gap in power supply.
3. Kusile Units Face Operational Challenges
Two generating units at Kusile Power Station suffered operational issues due to adverse weather conditions, which impacted coal handling processes. Without sufficient coal supply, power stations cannot operate at full capacity, leading to further energy shortages.
4. Planned Maintenance for Winter Readiness
Eskom is currently conducting planned maintenance outages aimed at ensuring a more reliable power supply during the upcoming winter months. While necessary, these outages temporarily reduce available electricity, exacerbating the shortfall.
5. Emergency Reserves Need Replenishing
Throughout the week, Eskom relied heavily on emergency reserves to keep the lights on. To prevent a complete depletion of these reserves, the utility is implementing loadshedding over the weekend to allow for their replenishment.
What Does Stage 3 Loadshedding Mean for South Africans?
With Stage 3 loadshedding in effect, citizens can expect frequent and prolonged power cuts throughout the weekend. Here’s what this means:
- Power outages lasting up to six hours per day, depending on the schedule in your area.
- Businesses, factories, and households will be affected, disrupting economic activity.
- Traffic congestion may worsen in major cities as traffic lights stop working.
- Water supply in some areas could be impacted, as water pumps rely on electricity.
- Internet and telecommunications services may be affected, particularly for those without backup power solutions.
To check the loadshedding schedule for your area, visit Eskom’s website or use loadshedding apps like EskomSePush.
Eskom’s Plan to Restore Power Supply
Eskom has reassured the public that measures are being taken to restore generation capacity as soon as possible. These include:
- Deploying additional engineering resources to expedite repairs on units currently offline.
- Restoring 6,200MW by Monday evening, which should improve electricity availability.
- Continuing its Generation Recovery Plan, which aims to stabilize power generation and reduce loadshedding in the long term.
Despite the setback, Eskom maintains that South Africa is not returning to the extreme loadshedding levels of 2023. The power utility has also pointed out that for much of 2024, loadshedding was suspended for 325 days—a marked improvement from previous years.
How to Prepare for Loadshedding This Weekend
To minimize disruption, South Africans are advised to take the following steps:
1. Stay Informed
- Check Eskom’s official updates or use loadshedding apps for the latest schedules.
- Follow Eskom on Twitter (@Eskom_SA) for real-time updates.
2. Charge Devices and Backup Power
- Charge your phones, laptops, power banks, and emergency lights ahead of time.
- If possible, invest in a UPS or inverter to keep essential devices running.
3. Prepare Food in Advance
- Cook meals ahead of time to avoid disruptions during power cuts.
- Keep non-perishable food and a gas stove or portable burner as a backup.
4. Store Water
- Some areas may experience low water pressure or supply issues due to loadshedding.
- Fill up containers with water for cooking, drinking, and sanitation needs.
5. Use Alternative Lighting
- Keep candles, rechargeable lights, or solar-powered lamps ready.
- Use energy-efficient LED bulbs to reduce electricity usage.
Learn More: Top 5 Load Shedding Notifier Apps to Keep You Informed
Will Loadshedding Get Worse?
Eskom insists that loadshedding is gradually decreasing as a result of its Generation Recovery Plan. The company aims to achieve an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 65%–70%, which will significantly reduce the risk of power cuts in the future.
However, South Africans should remain prepared, as unexpected breakdowns could still lead to further loadshedding in the short term.
The implementation of Stage 3 loadshedding is a setback in Eskom’s efforts to stabilize the power supply, but the utility remains optimistic about long-term improvements. Over the weekend, Eskom will replenish emergency reserves and work on restoring offline units, with an estimated 6,200MW returning to service by Monday evening.
For now, households and businesses should prepare for continued power cuts and use energy-efficient solutions where possible. While loadshedding remains a challenge, Eskom’s commitment to structural improvements suggests that better days may be ahead.
