Eskom Says Power Supply Stable for Now, But System Remains Under Pressure
As winter grips the country with icy temperatures and storm warnings, South Africans are bracing for the worst — but for now, the lights remain on. Eskom has reassured the public that the power system is currently stable, though still under significant strain.
The utility says it has enough emergency reserves and is carefully managing them to keep the grid balanced this week. Efforts are underway to bring back 2,550 megawatts of power before the evening peak, which should help ease the load.
There’s also progress on the long-awaited recovery of Medupi Unit 4, which has been out of service since suffering damage in 2021. Once back online, the unit will add another 800 megawatts to the grid. It’s expected to return to full operation next month.
While the situation is being closely monitored, Eskom continues to battle with aging coal-fired power stations that need ongoing repairs and heavy maintenance — a challenge that keeps the system vulnerable.
