9-hour power disruption hits parts of Gauteng on Friday

Eskom has informed Diepsloot residents about a planned power outage, necessary for maintenance work on its distribution network The outage will affect Diepsloot Extensions 10, 11, and Tanganani residents on Friday, 18 October, from 9:00 to 18:00.

This interruption is part of Eskom’s regular maintenance efforts to ensure its infrastructure’s stability.

“The interruption in electricity supply is necessary to perform essential maintenance on our distribution network”, Eskom stated.

Residents are advised to treat all electrical appliances as live during the outage for safety.

Milestone Achieved: 200 days without load shedding

While the planned power outage may inconvenience some, Eskom has made significant operational strides. The company announced on Sunday that it has successfully delivered 200 consecutive days without load shedding, a record since 26 March. This achievement is attributed to the Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which has dramatically reduced unplanned outages and improved Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF).

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane highlighted the broader impact of this achievement, saying, “This is a significant milestone to ensure energy security and attract investment to South Africa. We are days away from reaching 206 days without loadshedding, something we haven’t seen since 2019.”

The plan is projected to contribute to a potential 2% growth in South Africa’s economy while enhancing Eskom’s financial performance for the financial year 2025.

Dedication Behind the Success

Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, praised the dedication of the utility’s employees, attributing their hard work to the positive outcomes.

“The contributions of our team are clearly reflected in today’s results. We wish to thank all our employees for their dedication to this national imperative,” Nxumalo said.

Mteto Nyati, Eskom Board Chairperson, added that the Generation Recovery Plan, implemented since October 2022, is the driving force behind these improvements.

“Today’s achievement shows that with the right leadership, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges.”