Eskom Signals Load Shedding End

## What's New

Eskom CEO announced that Stage 6 load shedding—the utility's most severe—may become "a thing of the past" by mid-2025, citing improved generation capacity and reduced unplanned outages.

Why It Matters

Load shedding has cost South Africa's economy an estimated R1.5 trillion since 2007. Consistent power supply is prerequisite for the manufacturing renaissance the government is banking on. Foreign investors have cited energy uncertainty as their top concern.

The Details

What's driving improvement:

• **New capacity**: 2,400 MW from renewable IPPs came online in 2024
• **Reduced breakdowns**: Unplanned outages down 35% year-over-year
• **Demand response**: Industrial users now curtail 800 MW during peaks
• **Battery storage**: 500 MW of grid-scale storage operational

Remaining risks: - Koeberg nuclear plant maintenance scheduled for Q2 - Coal quality issues persist at older plants - Transmission constraints in Northern Cape

Market Impact

JSE-listed industrials rallied 4% on the announcement. Mining companies—particularly gold producers with 24/7 operations—stand to benefit most from reliable supply.

Go Deeper

Eskom publishes weekly generation reports. We track the key metrics that matter for business planning.