South Africa aims to end electricity load reduction by March 2027, according to Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the country’s energy challenges. Load reduction, distinct from load shedding, is a measure used to prevent local electricity networks from overloading.
The number of customers affected by load reduction has seen a substantial decrease, from approximately 1.4 million to 247,617. However, Minister Ramokgopa noted that the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng continue to experience the most significant need for load-reduction measures.
Efforts to eliminate load reduction involve collaboration between the government, Eskom, and municipalities to upgrade networks, install smart meters, tackle illegal connections, and improve access to free basic electricity. These initiatives are designed to enhance the resilience and reliability of local electricity infrastructure.
In addition to these efforts, the government is reviewing the electricity pricing system, with an expected completion date of January 2027. Part of this review includes evaluating proposals for providing free basic electricity to qualifying households, with support ranging between 200kWh and 300kWh being considered.