- Over 210000 customers no longer affected by peak period load reduction.
- 158 feeders restored as smart meter rollout gains traction.
- More than 577000 smart meters installed, reaching 35% of target.
Eskom has accelerated efforts to eliminate load reduction, with more than 210000 customers now exempt from peak period supply constraints as grid stabilisation measures begin to deliver results.
Load reduction, introduced to protect electricity infrastructure from overloading caused by illegal connections, remains a temporary intervention in high risk areas. However, sustained upgrades and targeted interventions have enabled the utility to remove 158 feeders from the programme, restoring normal supply to an estimated 210453 customers.
The utility confirmed that while generation capacity continues to exceed demand and the power system remains stable, illegal connections and meter tampering continue to place strain on the network. These activities not only damage infrastructure but also pose serious safety risks to communities.
Eskom stated that a further 366894 customers are expected to be removed from load reduction by the end of the financial year. The remaining affected customers are concentrated across several provinces, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, where network pressures remain elevated.
A key pillar of Eskom’s strategy is the rollout of smart meters to modernise the grid and improve demand management. To date, 577347 smart meters have been installed, representing 35% of the utility’s end state target. Nearly 200000 of these installations have been deployed in areas affected by load reduction, accounting for 40% of total installations.
The utility noted that approximately 90% of smart meters installed on load reduction feeders are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal, reflecting the higher risk profile of these regions.
Despite the progress, the rollout continues to face operational challenges. Eskom reported persistent resistance in some communities, including intimidation of installation teams, violent incidents and repeated work stoppages. These disruptions have delayed approximately 122000 planned meter conversions and increased safety risks for staff and contractors.
The utility emphasised that the smart meter programme is focused on high loss areas impacted by electricity theft, illegal connections and overloaded infrastructure. Extensive stakeholder engagement has been undertaken to support implementation, including collaboration with ward councillors and community platforms.
Eskom has called on communities to support efforts to safeguard electricity infrastructure by reporting illegal activities and promoting responsible energy use. The utility reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging technology and infrastructure upgrades to deliver a more reliable and resilient power network across South Africa.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
