Meta Description: How many township customers were removed from load reduction in 2026? Eskom data reported about 1.196 million of 1.69 million customers by 4 August. See feeders and limits.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Short Answer
By 4 August 2026, about 1.196 million of 1.69 million customers, or 70.8%, had been removed from load-reduction schedules, according to the coverage reviewed. Earlier, by 8 May, 351 of 971 feeders had been removed, covering about 598,042 customers. The figures are reported by Eskom and may have changed since.
Key Takeaways
- By 8 May 2026, 351 of 971 feeders had been removed from load reduction, covering about 598,042 customers.
- By 4 August 2026, about 1.196 million of 1.69 million customers (70.8%) had been removed.
- The two dates use different units, feeders and customers, so they cannot be compared directly.
- The sources reviewed do not give figures later than 4 August.
What Load Reduction Is
As explained in a companion article, load reduction is localised, feeder-level curtailment, separate from the national stages of load shedding. A feeder supplies many customers, so removing one from the load-reduction list affects every customer on it. Eskom has been working to take feeders off the list as conditions allow. The sources reviewed do not list the specific conditions that determine whether a feeder is removed.
The Numbers, in Order
8 May 2026: feeders
By 8 May, 351 of 971 feeders had been removed, which is about 36% of that total (351 divided by 971). The 351 feeders covered about 598,042 customers. These are the figures reported at that date.
4 August 2026: customers
By 4 August, about 1.196 million of 1.69 million customers had been removed from schedules, which is 70.8%. The sources give this in customers and not feeders, so this article does not calculate a feeder percentage for August.
Reading the two together
Comparing 598,042 customers in May with about 1.196 million in August suggests that the number of customers removed roughly doubled between the two dates. That comparison is arithmetic on figures from different reports, and the underlying bases may differ, for example if the total customer base changed. It is a rough indication, and not an official trend.
What Remains
If about 1.196 million of 1.69 million have been removed, about 494,000 customers remained on load reduction as of 4 August. This is a subtraction of the two reported figures and not a number given in the sources. Eskom’s target for ending load reduction, reported elsewhere in this series, is 2027, with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal last.
Why Township Areas Are Mentioned
Load reduction has often been described in connection with townships and similar areas. The reasons given in public debate include overloaded networks and revenue collection problems, and the sources reviewed for this article do not rank them. It would be unfair to attribute the policy to any single cause, and readers should consult Eskom’s statements for the official explanation.
Competing Views
Eskom presents the removals as evidence of progress. Community groups and some political parties argue that communities faced unequal treatment while load reduction was in place. The sources do not settle that disagreement, and this article reports both positions without choosing.
Practical Steps for Residents
- Ask Eskom or your municipality whether your feeder is still under load reduction.
- Keep your account details and meter number ready when reporting.
- Check that your account is in good standing, since payment problems are one issue raised in public debate.
- Keep a record of outage dates and durations.
How to Verify the Data
Look for Eskom media statements and parliamentary replies, which are the sources of the figures used here. When you see a percentage, check whether it counts feeders or customers, and note the date.
What We Still Do Not Know
- The figures after 4 August 2026.
- The list of feeders still on load reduction.
- The conditions required for a feeder to be removed.
What to Watch Next
Watch for Eskom’s next update on feeders and customers and for provincial breakdowns, particularly Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which the sources say are last in line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many customers have been removed from load reduction?
About 1.196 million of 1.69 million (70.8%) by 4 August 2026.
How many feeders had been removed by 8 May?
351 of 971.
How many customers did those feeders serve?
About 598,042.
When will load reduction end?
The target reported is 2027.
Which provinces are last?
Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, per the coverage reviewed.
Sources
- Eskom: load reduction updates (8 May and 4 August 2026)
- Parliament: Minister’s written reply NW2590 (2 June 2026)
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