Following a warning of high-risk loadshedding on Monday evening, Eskom has indicated, in its latest update, that while one of the six generation units that went down in the past 12 hours has been restored, the power grid “remains constrained and loadshedding may still be implemented at short notice if necessary.”
UPDATE: Read the latest updates from Eskom on this story.
Loadshedding schedule for today: Monday, 24 March 2025
Date | 00:00 – 16:00 | 16:00 – 18:25 | 18:25 – 22:00 | 22:00 – 00:00 |
Monday 24 Mar 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tuesday 25 Mar 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wednesday 26 Mar 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
City of Cape Town clients operates on a different loadshedding schedule.
This was the message from the City the last time loadshedding was in effect, on Wednesday, 19 March 2025:
“The City will protect its customers as far as possible. City Stage 0 means full protection (no load-shedding) where feasible.”
What’s the state of the power system in March 2025?
According to its latest Power Alert, the utility has saved R16.69 billion in diesel costs year-on-year, largely due to reduced reliance on Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs).
Planned maintenance remains high, with Eskom reporting an average of 7,032MW under maintenance in February. A further 3,610MW is expected to return to service before the evening peak on Monday, 3 March 2025, in preparation for higher winter demand.
While unplanned outages remain high at 14,534MW, Eskom insists that its Generation Recovery Plan, implemented in March 2023, has been effective in stabilising the grid. The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) currently stands at 25.48%, an improvement from 32.45% recorded last year.
Despite these improvements, Eskom has cautioned that its Summer Outlook (1 September 2024 – 31 March 2025) remains unchanged, meaning that unplanned breakdowns or sudden increases in demand could still lead to loadshedding.
Loadshedding updates for City of Cape Town clients
Cape Town residents benefit from a different loadshedding schedule than the rest of the country, thanks to the city’s ability to generate additional power.
The City of Cape Town has not yet announced any planned outages for March 2025, with updates expected in the coming weeks.
On Friday, 28 February 2025, The City of Cape Town announced a R2.8 billion funding agreement with the German Development Bank (KfW)to upgrade its electricity grid.
The city aims to modernise its infrastructure to reduce loadshedding impact, support renewable energy sources, and accommodate private electricity producers.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis stated that this investment is part of a larger R39.5 billion infrastructure plan running from July 2024 to June 2027, with R4 billion specifically allocated for electricity grid upgrades.
He also noted that the plan will create an estimated 130,000 construction-related jobs over three years.
The City’s Energy Directorate is rolling out a three-year R4 billion grid expansion programme, designed to support decentralised energy solutions, including solar power.
The KfW funding is expected to significantly improve electricity stability, making Cape Town one of the most resilient metros in South Africa in terms of power supply.
How the City of Cape Town loadshedding schedule works
While the rest of the country will endure Stage 3 blackouts, City of Cape Town customers will receive some relief due to the municipality’s loadshedding mitigation strategy.
In a statement to Swisher Post back in early February, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg confirmed that the city’s Steenbras Hydro Pumped Storage Scheme will be activated to lessen the impact on Cape Town residents.
“The City is preparing a loadshedding mitigation plan focused on providing up to two stages of protection for City customers where feasible,” said Limberg.
“City customers are asked to please also reduce their usage of electricity, as this makes City protection so much more feasible in general.”