If you’ve been enjoying steady electricity lately, you’re not imagining things.

South Africans are currently getting a welcome break from load shedding—and yes, Eskom has officially confirmed it.

Despite swirling rumours of a looming 14-hour power outage, the utility company has denied those claims and says the power grid is currently stable.

As of 10:00 PM on May 15, 2025, load shedding has been completely suspended.

That means no planned interruptions like the ones we’ve come to expect during winter’s peak demand.

And if you’ve seen posts warning of long blackouts—Eskom says those aren’t coming from them.

Power Supply Holding Up… For Now

Eskom says it’s managing to keep the lights on with 2,600 megawatts currently available.

Sure, the system is still under pressure, but things are looking better than this time last year.

Unplanned outages are at 28.30%—a slight improvement compared to last winter’s 28.47%.

Routine maintenance is ongoing too. In fact, the average planned maintenance load has increased to 6,669 MW, which is up just over 3% from last year.

Eskom’s also been leaning more on open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) this week, using them for about 10.94% of the supply.

However, the yearly average use of these costly diesel-based generators is down—something they’re hoping continues as more power units get back online.

What to Expect This Winter

Eskom’s Winter Outlook comes with a bit of cautious optimism.

They say if unplanned outages can stay under 13,000 MW, then we should avoid load shedding altogether.

That’s a big “if,” but it’s still a hopeful sign.

In short: while the power supply remains tight, it’s being managed.

Emergency reserves are ready to be used if things take a turn, and for now, there are no planned interruptions of the kind that some rumours have claimed.

Watch Out for Misinformation

Eskom is urging everyone to stay sharp and not to spread unverified claims.

The company emphasizes checking facts before sharing anything online, especially when it concerns outages or electricity updates.

If you want the real-time picture, the best source is Eskom’s own platforms—whether that’s their official website or social media pages.

Let’s Keep the Power Flowing

While we’re all enjoying the break from load shedding, Eskom is reminding everyone that energy conservation still matters.

The system remains vulnerable, and small savings can make a big difference—especially during the chilly months.

So, continue using electricity wisely, switch off non-essential appliances, and do your part to keep the pressure off the grid.