{
  "id": 11117031,
  "title": "Load reduction will be eliminated in March next year: Ramokgopa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/load-reduction-will-be-eliminated-in-march-next-year-ramokgopa",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-01T05:26:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/load-reduction-will-be-eliminated-in-march-next-year-ramokgopa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Electricity and Energy Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has revealed that load reduction measures will be discontinued by March next year. This follows a response to inquiries during a session in the National Assembly. According to Ramokgopa, the number of consumers impacted by load reduction has dropped considerably from around 1.4 million. He stated, \"We have managed to decrease that figure and we are currently at 247,617 customers.\" The two provinces remaining under load reduction are KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which Ramokgopa believes will be eliminated by the end of March next year.\n\nMoreover, Ramokgopa mentioned that the review of the electricity pricing regime is expected to be completed by the end of January next year. Currently, the pricing review policy is open for public comment until the end of this month. He hinted at a potential increase in free basic electricity, stating, \"With the current fiscal support, we can comfortably provide anything between 200 and 300 kilowatt hour of free basic electricity, so we do not require any additional allocation from Treasury.\"",
  "summary": "The number of customers affected by load reduction has already declined significantly.",
  "key_points": [
    "Load reduction measures to end in March next year",
    "247,617 consumers currently under load reduction",
    "Electricity pricing review to conclude by January next year"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The planned end to load reduction measures in March signifies a significant improvement in electricity supply, benefiting the remaining 247,617 customers, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}