South Africa's energy crisis (or load shedding) was a period of widespread national power outages that began at the end of 2007 and last occurred on 16 May 2025. The South African government-owned national power utility, and primary power generator, Eskom, and various parliamentarians have attributed these rolling blackouts to insufficient generation capacity.
According to Eskom and government officials, the solution requires the construction of additional power stations and generators. However, corruption and mismanagement of Eskom, most notably during the Jacob Zuma administration, has exacerbated the energy crisis; while neglect by Eskom staff, multiple acts of sabotage, and the activity of criminal syndicates within Eskom with alleged political connections have also contributed to ongoing power supply problems. Many South African commentators have described the ongoing energy crisis as a symptom of long-standing poor governance.
In April 2024, South Africa had a full month without rotational power cuts, which was the first time since January 2022. However, load shedding and scheduled rolling blackouts returned at the end of January 2025.
South Africa has not had load shedding since May 16, 2025.
Background In a December 1998 report, analysts and leaders in Eskom and in the South African government predicted that Eskom would run out of electrical power reserves by 2007 unless action was taken to prevent it. To improve power supply and reliability, the 1998 report recommended restructuring Eskom into separate electricity generation and power transmission businesses. Despite the warnings of the 1998 report and requests by Eskom to be allowed to increase capacity, the national government took no action. At the time the Mbeki government was considering the privatisation of Eskom which was cited as a reason why the government took no action. This resulted in Eskom being unable to add additional generating capacity and thereby keep up with increasing national demand for electricity from 2002 onward. The government only granted Eskom permission to significantly expand energy production (by 70%) in 2004.
Aging infrastructure
Fifteen power stations were commissioned between 1961 and 1996, adding a combined 35,804 MW of capacity. In the 21st century, only 9,564 MW of capacity has been added from the currently constructing power stations Medupi and Kusile. Many Eskom power stations are almost 50 years old and near decommissioning. Following the first period of load shedding in 2007 to 2008 Eskom commissioned the construction of the Medupi and Kusile coal fired power plants to expand energy production by 25%. The construction of these plants encountered numerous technical problems and cost overruns whilst the existing fleet of power plants were not replaced and continued to operate past their operational lifespan.
Power station commission history Below is a timeline of Eskom-built, major power stations YearPower plantMegawatts1961Komati9901963Rooiwal3001967Camden15611969Grootvlei11801970Hendrina18931971Arnot23521976Kriel30001979Matla36001980Duvha36001984Koeberg18601985Tutuka36541985Lethabo37081987Matimba39901988Kendal41161996Majuba41102015Medupi47642017Kusile4800
Loadshedding In South Africa, loadshedding has been a recurring problem for many years, and one of its main causes is the country's heavy reliance on aging coal-fired power plants. These plants often require maintenance, resulting in breakdowns and unplanned outages that reduce the amount of electricity available to the grid. In addition, the country's coal supply has been unreliable due to operational issues and disruptions caused by labor strikes.
To address this problem, South Africa has been working to shift its energy mix from coal to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. This transition has been slow, but there has been progress in recent years, with the government's commitment to procuring renewable energy and reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions. However, the shift to renewable energy is not without its challenges. The intermittency of wind and solar power means that power supply can be variable, and the power generated is not always available at times of high demand.
Since 2007, South Africa has experienced multiple periods of loadshedding as the country's demand for electricity exceeded its ability, notably Eskom's ability, to supply it. During these periods the power is rationed between different electrical grid areas across the country and within municipal areas. With areas experiencing power outages typically lasting two to four hours. Although South Africa has a national grid some areas of the country experience more periods of loadshedding than other areas due to differences in local power generation capabilities and difficulties in electrical distribution.
As of December 2019, Eskom have published 8 stages of load shedding, each stage representing the removal of 1000 MW increments of demand by controlled shut down on sections of the supply grid based on a predetermined schedule. Schedules may vary by location. Stage 6 (6000 MW reduction) was implemented for the first time on 9 December 2019.
+Stages of loadshedding and their impact on the end userStageEnergy load removedfrom the national gridTypical ImpactPercentage of gridusers without powerAn example loadshedding area in Cape Town might experience power cuts at the following timesStage 1<1000 MW6h over 4 days (6/96h)~6% without power16:00–18:30Stage 2<2000 MW12h over 4 days (12/96h)~12.5% without power00:00–02:30 & 16:00–18:30Stage 3<3000 MW18h over 4 days (18/96h) ~19% without power00:00–02:30 & 16:00–18:30Stage 4<4000 MW24h over 4 days (24/96h)~25% without power00:00–02:30 & 08:00–10:30 & 16:00–18:30Stage 5<5000 MW30h over 4 days (30/96h)~31% without power00:00–02:30 & 08:00–10:30 & 14:00–18:30Stage 6<6000 MW36h over 4 days (36/96h)~37% without power00:00–02:30 & 08:00–10:30 & 14:00–18:30Stage 7<7000 MW42h over 4 days (42/96h)~44% without power00:00–02:30 & 08:00–10:30 & 14:00–18:30 & 22:00–00:30Stage 8<8000 MW48h over 4 days (48/96h)~50% without power After the 2 hour disconnect period there is typically an additional 30 minutes added to allow for switching on, not counted in the totals as mentioned above. Problems may arise during switch on that can cause an actual fault blackout in the area beyond the scheduled time.
Sabotage and corruption
Sabotage and corruption at the state owned energy utility Eskom and its suppliers have prolonged and deepened the energy crisis by limiting the country's ability to maintain existing power generating capacity and increasing expenses.
On 19 November 2021, Eskom announced that sabotage of electrical infrastructure, as well as corruption, might be contributing to power supply problems. An initial forensic investigation found evidence that recent damage to a coal conveyor at Lethabo was the result of deliberate sabotage. Steel supports had been severed, causing a power supply pylon to collapse. In a media briefing, de Ruyter commented that the matter had been referred to the Hawks for further investigation. Despite investigations and disciplinary action, acts of sabotage continued into May 2022, when it was revealed that multiple incidents had occurred at several plants. In May 2022, the Minister for Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, reported to Parliament that additional incidents of cables being cut intentionally by saboteurs, rising theft at its power plants, and corruption around the supply of fuel oil, had greatly worsened the energy crisis and Eskom's ability to resolve it. South African journalist Kyle Cowan has speculated that these acts of sabotage were politically motivated by unknown groups or individuals within Eskom involved in corruption.
In December 2022, President Ramaphosa's spokesperson announced that the South African National Defence Force would be deployed at four Eskom power stations "in response to the growing threat of sabotage, theft, vandalism and corruption" for an indeterminate length of time. In late February 2023, then Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter, controversially stated that four criminal syndicates had established themselves within the national utility, that an unnamed senior ANC MP was involved, and that the government lacked the political will to resolve the situation. De Ruyter also stated that in his opinion "load shedding is, to a large extent, attributable to crime and corruption."
Loadshedding periods Since 2007, South Africa has experienced at least five distinct periods of load shedding.
First period: 2007–2008 The first period of chronic power shortages occurred in late 2007 and lasted until at least May 2008. Investigative television show Carte Blanche reported that part of the problem is related to the supply of coal to the coal-fired power plants.Eskom's darkest hour Several other causes have been postulated, including skills shortages and increasing demand for electricity around the country. Daily load shedding occurred for the first time for two weeks in January 2008.
Eskom was criticised for exporting electricity to neighbouring African states while not having the capacity to meet South Africa's demand. Eskom, however, announced on 20 January 2008 that it had ceased to export power. The government claimed the shortage had caught them by surprise since the South African economy had grown faster than expected; however, their target growth rate of 6% per year was not reached from 1996 to 2004. The average GDP growth rate during this period was 3.1%.Microsoft Word - P0441 Nov05.doc The year 2012 was frequently mentioned as the earliest possible end to the power shortages.No more mega projects until 2012 - Eskom
Second period: November 2014 – February 2015 The Majuba power plant lost its capacity to generate power after a collapse of one of its coal storage silos on 1 November 2014. The Majuba power plant delivered approximately 10% of the country's entire capacity and the collapse halted the delivery of coal to the plant. A second silo developed a major crack on 20 November causing the shut down of the plant again, after temporary measures were instituted to deliver coal to the plant.
On 5 December 2014, Eskom started major stage three load shedding in South Africa after the shut down of two power plants on 4 November (of said year) due to diesel shortages. It was also reported that the Palmiet and Drakensberg Pumped Storage Schemes were also experiencing difficulties due to a depletion of water reserve to the Hydro plants. Stage three was the highest degree of load shedding then.
On Thursday 5 November, Eskom fell short of the country's electricity demand of . The power utility has the ability to produce but could only supply due to "planned and unplanned" maintenance. One turbine at Eskom's Duvha Power Station is still out of commission due to an "unexplained incident" in March 2014. Load shedding was scheduled to resume in February 2015, due to industry start up, after the December holiday period.
Third period: February 2019 – March 2019 Another period of load shedding began in February 2019 when Eskom announced level 4 load shedding due to the temporary loss of generating capacity. This necessitated the dropping of 4,000 MW of power consumption from the national grid. In mid-March of that year extensive ongoing power cuts were implemented across the country by Eskom as part of the level 4 load shedding.
Fourth period: December 2019 – March 2020 Eskom implemented a further round of load shedding commencing in December 2019. South Africa is currently experiencing its worst energy crisis, when Load Shedding Stage 6 activated for the first time ever in December. Eskom stated that of its total nominal capacity of around 44,000 MW, it was unable to provide around 13,000 MW of total capacity, resulting in the nationwide blackouts.