14-Hour Load Shedding – South Africa is once again bracing for extensive power outages as Eskom confirms the implementation of Stage 6 load shedding, spanning up to 14 hours per day across most provinces for the entire month of June 2025. The announcement has triggered widespread concern among households, businesses, and essential service providers. With the cold winter months pushing national electricity consumption to new peaks and ongoing technical failures at power stations, Eskom’s June blackout timetable is a strategic move to protect the national grid from collapse. Citizens are strongly advised to prepare for rotational outages and stay informed through official Eskom platforms.
Why Is Load Shedding Back – And Why So Severe?
Load shedding has returned with increased severity due to a perfect storm of challenges facing Eskom. The combination of aging infrastructure, frequent breakdowns at major power stations, and a sharp rise in electricity demand during winter has left the utility with limited options. Additionally, delays in maintenance, diesel shortages for backup plants, and slow integration of renewable energy sources have worsened the crisis. As a result, Eskom has resorted to Stage 6 load shedding to prevent a total grid collapse and maintain national electricity stability.
Load shedding is not new to South Africa, but the intensity and frequency have escalated due to several underlying factors. Here are the main reasons Eskom is enforcing 14-hour blackouts:
- Aging Infrastructure: Several coal-fired stations have exceeded their operational lifespans and are prone to unplanned breakdowns.
- Delayed Repairs: Units at Kusile, Medupi, and Koeberg are undergoing maintenance or awaiting critical repairs.
- Fuel Supply Issues: A national diesel shortage is affecting the operation of peaking plants that supplement the base load.
- Increased Demand: Winter has caused a spike in heating usage, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Lack of Investment in Alternatives: Delays in integrating IPPs (Independent Power Producers) have limited Eskom’s backup options.
- Vandalism and Sabotage: Reports of cable theft and tampering continue to add strain to an already fragile system.
With grid reliability in jeopardy, Stage 6 load shedding ensures controlled distribution of available power instead of risking a nationwide blackout.
June 2025 Load Shedding Timetable by Province
Eskom has released a detailed province-wise load shedding timetable for June 2025, outlining daily blackout slots across South Africa. This schedule helps residents plan around power outages, with each province facing different blackout hours based on grid demand and infrastructure constraints. Citizens are urged to follow their local schedules. To give South Africans clarity, Eskom has released a full province-wise schedule for blackout hours in June. This helps both urban and rural residents to organize daily activities, plan work shifts, and preserve perishable goods more efficiently.
National Load Shedding Schedule – Stage 6 (Indicative Overview)
| Province | Morning Slot | Midday Slot | Evening Slot | Total Duration (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 05:00–07:00 | 12:00–16:00 | 20:00–22:00 | 8 hours |
| Western Cape | 04:00–06:00 | 13:00–15:00 | 19:00–22:00 | 7 hours |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 06:00–09:00 | 14:00–16:00 | 21:00–23:00 | 8 hours |
| Eastern Cape | 05:30–07:30 | 12:30–14:30 | 18:30–21:30 | 9 hours |
| Free State | 04:00–06:00 | 11:00–14:00 | 19:00–22:00 | 9 hours |
| North West | 06:00–08:00 | 13:00–16:00 | 20:00–22:00 | 9 hours |
| Limpopo | 05:00–07:00 | 11:00–13:00 | 18:00–21:00 | 8 hours |
| Mpumalanga | 04:30–06:30 | 10:30–13:30 | 19:30–22:30 | 9 hours |
| Northern Cape | 06:00–09:00 | 14:00–16:00 | 20:00–22:00 | 9 hours |
Weekly Escalation Plan: Load Shedding in June 2025
| Week | Expected Stage | Avg Blackout (hrs/day) | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–7 June | Stage 4 | 6 hours | Planned plant maintenance |
| 8–14 June | Stage 6 | 8 hours | Diesel supply crisis |
| 15–21 June | Stage 5 | 7 hours | Partial plant restoration |
| 22–30 June | Stage 6–7 (Risk) | 8–10 hours | Demand spike + ongoing generator issues |
What Can Citizens Do to Prepare?
Residents and businesses are encouraged to take proactive steps to soften the impact of prolonged blackouts:
- Keep phones, laptops, and UPS systems charged.
- Invest in gas appliances or solar-powered lighting.
- Store water ahead of outage hours where pumps are affected.
- Use thermal flasks to keep liquids hot.
- Keep perishable items in insulated coolers if possible.
- Download the EskomSePush app for real-time updates.
- Switch off high-load appliances during recovery to prevent power surges.
How to Track Your Municipality’s Load Shedding Blocks
While Eskom manages national supply, implementation is delegated to local municipalities. Here’s how to stay updated:
- Visit www.loadshedding.eskom.co.za
- Use the EskomSePush mobile application
- Contact your municipal call centre
- Follow local government social media handles
What Eskom and the Government Are Doing
Eskom’s Current and Planned Interventions
Eskom’s executive board has confirmed the following emergency steps:
- Procurement of temporary generation via diesel and gas
- Returning Medupi and Kusile units to full operation
- Deploying mobile substations in worst-affected regions
- Expediting licensing for Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
Despite criticism, Eskom reassures the public that long-term energy diversification remains a government priority, with more funds being allocated in the 2025/26 budget.
Support for Critical Infrastructure and Emergency Services
Essential services are receiving priority support:
- Hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms are either exempt or receive generator support
- Key infrastructure like water purification plants are being monitored closely
- Telecommunication towers have been issued backup batteries
Impact on Economy, Education, and Small Businesses
Business Sector
- Retailers are cutting operating hours
- Manufacturing units are facing loss in productivity and exports
- Farmers with cold chains are struggling to maintain stock quality
Households and Education
- Remote working becomes difficult for many without inverters
- Online learning platforms face delays and low attendance
- Parents are having to adjust children’s routines and study times
Public Sentiment
Social media has exploded with complaints and memes, but there’s also growing demand for renewable energy solutions and accountability.
The June 2025 Eskom load shedding schedule is one of the most extensive the country has experienced. While Eskom and government agencies promise systemic reform, the current reality is clear—citizens must prepare for up to 14 hours without power each day. Use official channels, plan daily routines wisely, and consider long-term energy alternatives if possible. The coming weeks may be challenging, but with awareness, planning, and resilience, South Africa can get through this period of energy strain.
Contact Points for Help and Complaints
| Department/Agency | Phone Number | Email Contact | For Queries Regarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Services | 08600 37566 | [email protected] | Faults, blackout status, general queries |
| National Energy Regulator (NERSA) | 012 401 4600 | [email protected] | Load shedding compliance, tariff issues |
| Department of Energy | 012 406 7500 | [email protected] | Energy policies, subsidies |
| Johannesburg City Power | 0860 562 874 | [email protected] | Gauteng region support |
| Western Cape Provincial Energy | 021 483 3600 | [email protected] | Local load shedding queries |
FAQ – Your Load Shedding Questions Answered
Q1. Will Stage 6 Load Shedding be the maximum this winter?
A: No. Eskom has warned that if plant breakdowns worsen, Stage 7 or even Stage 8 may be introduced.
Q2. Are prepaid customers compensated for blackouts?
A: Unfortunately not. Eskom does not offer refunds for load shedding to any customer segment.
Q3. What is the government doing to help?
A: Government is expediting IPP onboarding, investing in grid repairs, and working with Eskom on fuel procurement.
Q4. How do I protect my electronics during outages?
A: Always unplug devices during load shedding. Use surge protectors or offline UPS systems for essential gadgets.
Q5. Can solar energy completely remove the impact of load shedding?
A: Not fully, but solar + battery backup systems can significantly reduce dependency on Eskom.