Eskom, South Africa's national power utility, has issued an urgent alert on March 24, 2025, about a significant risk of load shedding at short notice due to the breakdown of multiple generation units. Over the past 12 hours, six such units have been taken offline, resulting in increased pressure on the power system and the need to rely on emergency reserves.
The utility warned that if an additional 800MW of generating capacity is lost, it will be forced to implement Stage 2 load shedding immediately. "Eskom has issued an urgent alert regarding a high risk of load-shedding at short notice this evening due to several generation unit breakdowns," the company stated. This situation has prompted ongoing efforts to restore service, with work underway to bring seven generation units back online between the evening peak on Monday and Tuesday evening.
The last instance of Stage 2 load shedding occurred on March 19, 2025, which lasted from 18:25 to 05:00 the next morning. During that event, the power cut was primarily the result of five generation units failing just before peak demand hours. According to Eskom, two of the affected units were sourced from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa hydro dam, complicating an already strained situation.
"If an additional 800MW is lost, Eskom will be compelled to implement Stage 2 load-shedding at short notice," the utility confirmed, underlining how fragile the current energy landscape has become. Dan Marokane, CEO of Eskom, explained the ongoing challenges faced by the utility, stating, "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." This highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain a reliable power supply amid increasing demands.
With hints of a return to frequent rolling blackouts, it’s worth noting that despite these setbacks, progress is still being made. Eskom successfully added 800MW to the grid with the activation of another unit at Kusile Power Station. This addition has been noted as critical because without it, the likelihood of load shedding would have already been a reality, further stressing the need for infrastructure improvements.
Eskom has been juggling the massive undertaking of operating a power grid that, as analyzed in a recent study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, has cost the national economy substantially, even during periods of reduced load shedding. The emerging perspective is one of cautious optimism, as the utility continues to adapt and respond to electricity generation challenges.
While Eskom has struggled to keep load shedding at bay for nearly a year, the pressure from sudden unit breakdowns keeps the risks high. The recent round of power cuts was reminiscent of the serious load shedding crises that plagued the country in previous years. These earlier events saw stages 4 and 6 of load shedding implemented in February 2025 and stage 3 in early March.
For now, the power utility remains under immense scrutiny as it works tirelessly to stabilize the grid. Eskom has promised to issue further updates at 22:00 or earlier if the situation changes. Emergency teams are closely monitoring the developments, showcasing the ongoing commitment to resolving the current issues and ensuring a robust response.
As Eskom navigates this challenging landscape, the public’s patience will be tested, and the need for reliable energy access remains ever-present. The hope is that with enough focus and the right measures, South Africa’s power crisis can be effectively addressed without having to revert to frequent load shedding that disrupts everyday life.
