State-owned utility Eskom says it is bolstering efforts to eliminate load reduction by 2027 as South Africa’s electricity system stabilises.

The Load Reduction Elimination Strategy, launched by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on September 25, sets a roadmap to strengthen the country’s distribution network and address high-risk isolated areas.

While generation performance has improved, a temporary 529 MW load reduction during morning and evening peaks remains necessary in certain areas to protect infrastructure and ensure public safety.

“Ongoing electricity theft from illegal connections and meter tampering continue to cause equipment overload, leading to unsafe conditions and, in extreme cases, catastrophic equipment failures, making load reduction essential as a preventive measure,” the utility emphasises.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, Eskom’s plan to eliminate load reduction is expected to impact about 1.69-million customers, which is 20% of its customer base.

These targeted customers are supplied via 971 feeders, predominantly in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

The programme follows a phased, three-pronged approach.

The first is expanding free basic electricity (FBE) access.

Priority is being given to registering eligible indigent households. While about 2.1-million households qualify in Eskom supply areas, only 485 000 currently benefit.

Expanding FBE is highlighted as essential as households face rising electricity costs, and businesses, strive to remain competitive.

The FBE benefit to the 2.1-million households is contingent on Eskom, municipalities and relevant government departments collaborating, the utility explains.

The second is the accelerated rollout of smart meters.

To date, over 800 000 meters have been installed, with a further 6.2-million to be installed over the next three years.

This includes the 1.69-million customers affected by load reduction, with 577 000 meters to be installed by 2026, and the balance by 2027.

Smart meters support Eskom’s Demand Management Programme, helping customers reduce peak-period consumption, improve efficiency and strengthen grid stability, Eskom posits.

The third is the deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs).

Over the next five years, 250 DERs will be installed to bolster supply in remote and high-demand areas, aimed to supporting a sustainable local energy ecosystem.

Eskom Distribution acting group executive Agnes Mlambo has called on communities to collaborate with Eskom to ensure these interventions are seamless and effective.

“Over the next five years, Eskom will invest approximately R320-billion to sustain and modernise electricity infrastructure, including smart meters, with 14% allocated to Distribution. Eskom is fully prepared to implement the programme, and smart meters are being procured and delivered in tranches to manage operational risks such as storage, theft, damage, and inefficiencies.

“Suppliers continue to be sourced through open tenders, and the recent expressions of interest will bring additional capable suppliers on board to accelerate delivery,” Mlambo explains.