Mbabane – Eswatini households and businesses are set to enjoy uninterrupted electricity as the Eswatini Electricity Company, EEC, concludes its winter load management campaign on Friday evening, according to reports from the Eswatini Observer.
EEC Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager Khaya Mavuso confirmed that the load management initiative, which ran throughout June, July, and August, was designed to address increased electricity demand during the winter months. Mavuso noted that while the campaign officially ends, the utility will continue to closely monitor the national electricity grid, and any necessary adjustments will be communicated to the public in advance.
The winter load management campaign was first launched in May, marking EEC’s response to rising electricity outages observed during previous cold seasons. Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta explained that extreme electricity demand occurs during peak hours, specifically from 6 to 8am and 5 to 8pm, when households and businesses rely heavily on electricity for heating, cooking, and other essential activities.
“Without proper management, this surge in demand could compromise the reliability of the electricity supply, increase operational costs, and result in potential service interruptions,” Mkhonta said, as reported by Eswatini Observer.
To mitigate these risks, EEC introduced a load shift strategy aimed at encouraging consumers to modify their electricity usage habits, particularly by reducing consumption during peak periods. The initiative sought to balance demand across the network while safeguarding supply for all users.
In addition to ending the load management campaign, EEC has renewed its power purchase agreement with South Africa’s Eskom for another 10 years. The previous contract was set to expire on 30 September. The renewed agreement is expected to strengthen Eswatini’s generation capacity, reduce dependence on imported electricity, and ensure a more stable power supply for the country over the next decade.
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