Eskom has announced that Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm on Thursday and continue until 5am on Friday.
The decision follows an unexpected spike in electricity demand, compounded by the loss of several generation units and ongoing planned maintenance, all of which have placed significant strain on the power grid.
In light of these challenges, the utility has urged South Africans to use electricity more efficiently to ease pressure on the already stressed system.
Meanwhile, concerns continue to mount around Eskom’s heavy reliance on diesel to keep the lights on. ActionSA has criticised the utility’s R3.6 billion diesel expenditure over just 30 days, calling it an unsustainable attempt to mask the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
The party has accused the government of presenting a misleading narrative by substituting widespread power cuts with diesel-powered generation, rather than addressing the root causes of the problem.
Between 1 and 10 April 2025 alone, Eskom reportedly spent R1.34 billion on diesel, despite a low Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 56.11 percent—well below the 70 percent target set by the Minister of Electricity.
This figure also marks a decline from the same period last year when the EAF stood at 58.96 percent, indicating a drop in available electricity generation despite the increased financial outlay.
ActionSA has raised alarm over the fiscal impact of this approach, arguing that it is not a sign of recovery but a temporary fix with long-term consequences.
Data from Eskom’s 2024 reports shows that producing electricity through diesel-powered Open-Cycle Gas Turbines costs R6,579 per megawatt-hour, far higher than coal at R541 and nuclear at just R113.
The party believes that the billions being channelled into diesel could have been better spent on reviving the country’s deteriorating coal infrastructure.
If the same volume of electricity had been produced using coal, the cost would have been significantly lower, estimated at around R300 million.
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