South Africa Load Shedding – South Africa is once again bracing for long hours of power cuts as Eskom confirms a fresh round of load shedding, extending up to 14 hours in some areas. The country’s power utility has released a detailed schedule affecting multiple provinces, sparking concerns among businesses and households about how to plan their week. This planned outage is part of Eskom’s ongoing efforts to manage the strained national power grid and avoid a total blackout.
Why Is South Africa Load Shedding Happening Again?
Eskom has attributed the renewed load shedding to a combination of aging infrastructure, breakdowns in critical generating units, and insufficient energy reserves. Despite various recovery plans and maintenance drives, the utility is still struggling to stabilize consistent electricity supply.
Here’s why this round is especially concerning:
- Some areas will face power cuts up to 14 hours a day
- The schedule spans multiple provinces and cities
- Businesses, schools, and hospitals are expected to experience major disruptions
- The public has been urged to save energy wherever possible
Full List of Load Shedding Times and Affected Areas (May 13–May 19, 2025)
Below are the scheduled outages as released by Eskom. Times may vary slightly depending on local municipality implementation.
| City/Province | Date | Load Shedding Stage | Time Slot (Approx.) | Total Outage (hrs) | Backup Advised? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg (Gauteng) | May 13–19 | Stage 5 | 05:00–09:30, 14:00–21:30 | 12.5 | Yes |
| Cape Town (Western Cape) | May 13–19 | Stage 4 | 06:00–10:00, 16:00–22:00 | 10.0 | Yes |
| Durban (KZN) | May 13–19 | Stage 6 | 04:00–08:30, 12:30–18:30 | 14.0 | Yes |
| Tshwane (Gauteng) | May 13–19 | Stage 5 | 05:30–10:00, 15:00–21:00 | 13.5 | Yes |
| Gqeberha (Eastern Cape) | May 13–19 | Stage 4 | 07:00–11:00, 17:00–22:00 | 9.0 | Yes |
| Polokwane (Limpopo) | May 13–19 | Stage 5 | 03:00–07:30, 13:30–19:30 | 13.0 | Yes |
| Bloemfontein (FS) | May 13–19 | Stage 3 | 06:00–09:00, 17:00–20:00 | 6.0 | Recommended |
| Mbombela (MP) | May 13–19 | Stage 4 | 04:00–08:00, 16:00–20:30 | 8.5 | Recommended |
Tips to Prepare for Load Shedding
Households and small businesses should consider the following actions:
- Charge all mobile phones, power banks, and emergency lighting systems in advance
- Avoid opening refrigerators frequently during outages to maintain food temperature
- Keep gas stoves or alternative cooking sources ready
- Use solar-powered lights or rechargeable LED bulbs
- Unplug appliances to protect against power surges when electricity is restored
Impact on Key Services and Sectors
Healthcare and Hospitals:
- Emergency wards to rely on backup generators
- Elective procedures may be postponed in smaller facilities
Education:
- Schools in urban areas may cancel afternoon classes
- Students advised to use daytime for studies due to limited evening lighting
Small Businesses:
- Internet and POS services will be disrupted
- Backup inverters and generators are becoming essential for operations
What Eskom Says About the Future
While Eskom has acknowledged the severe impact of load shedding, it has emphasized that load shedding remains a necessary measure to prevent the grid from total collapse. Ongoing upgrades and international partnerships for renewable energy are expected to improve the situation—but that will take time.
Long-Term Solutions Being Planned
- Expansion of solar and wind power projects
- Decommissioning of old coal-fired plants and adding hybrid energy stations
- More partnerships with private energy producers
- Introduction of smart meters and energy-efficient programs
FAQs of South Africa Load Shedding
Q1: Can I find real-time load shedding updates?
Yes. Visit the EskomSePush app or the official Eskom website for live status.
Q2: Will Stage 6 be the highest level?
No. Eskom’s load shedding framework goes up to Stage 8. Higher stages mean more frequent and longer outages.
Q3: Can businesses claim losses due to power cuts?
Generally, no compensation is provided by Eskom. However, some insurance policies may cover such losses.
Q4: Are essential services exempted?
Yes. Hospitals and critical infrastructure usually get special exemptions or generator backup.
Q5: How can I report incorrect schedules?
Call the Eskom Customer Service Centre at 08600 37566 or email [email protected]
Departmental and Support Contact Details
| Department/Office | Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Support | Phone | 08600 37566 |
| Eskom Website | Online | www.eskom.co.za |
| Load Shedding App | Mobile App | EskomSePush |
| National Energy Regulator (NERSA) | Complaints/Feedback | www.nersa.org.za |
| Western Cape Emergency Services | Power Disruption Assistance | 021 957 4700 |
Conclusion of South Africa Load Shedding
South Africans must brace themselves for another challenging week as Eskom’s 14-hour load shedding plan rolls out. With multiple cities under prolonged outages, preparedness is key. By following the schedules, optimizing energy use, and relying on alternative sources when possible, the impact can be somewhat managed. The long-term outlook depends heavily on how swiftly infrastructure improvements are made—and until then, load shedding remains a difficult but necessary reality.