Nationwide 14-Hour Power Cuts – South Africans across all provinces are set to endure a wave of intensified power outages this winter as Eskom officially confirms a nationwide load shedding schedule of up to 14 hours per day for June 2025. The announcement has sparked major concern among households, business owners, schools, and hospitals, many of whom are already grappling with the economic and social impact of previous outages. Eskom’s load shedding strategy is designed to prevent a full-scale collapse of the electricity grid, which the utility says is under “unprecedented pressure.” Officials have emphasized that the current situation is the result of long-standing infrastructure issues, unexpected breakdowns, and significantly increased winter demand. While frustrating, Eskom maintains the cuts are necessary to safeguard the stability of the national power supply.
Why Are 14-Hour Power Cuts Being Implemented?
The main drivers behind the implementation of 14-hour blackouts stem from both long-standing and new challenges faced by Eskom and the national power grid. These include:
- A growing number of critical equipment breakdowns at aging power stations such as Kusile, Medupi, and Hendrina.
- Shortage of diesel reserves required for running open-cycle gas turbines that serve as backup during peak demand.
- Rising electricity consumption, particularly during early mornings and evenings due to winter heating requirements.
- Continued sabotage, vandalism, and theft of transmission infrastructure across multiple provinces.
- Significant delays in the completion of long-promised upgrades and infrastructure maintenance work.
In its recent press release, Eskom described the situation as “severe but manageable,” explaining that extended load shedding is currently the only viable method of load reduction to keep the grid balanced and avoid a countrywide blackout.
Which Provinces Will Be Affected the Most?
While the load shedding schedule applies nationally, certain provinces will experience longer or more frequent power outages than others. This variation depends on demand-supply ratios, historical consumption patterns, and local infrastructure resilience.
The most affected provinces based on Eskom’s release include:
- Gauteng: The country’s economic hub, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, faces long scheduled outages due to high energy use.
- KwaZulu-Natal: A combination of industrial and rural demand means widespread outages across metro and non-metro areas.
- Western Cape: Cape Town may have slightly more relief thanks to municipal interventions, but rural areas are at risk.
- Eastern Cape and Free State: High instances of infrastructure theft and vandalism have worsened supply reliability.
Residents are advised to keep checking their municipal updates, make necessary preparations, and follow Eskom’s energy-saving guidelines.
Full Load Shedding Schedule for June 2025
The following table outlines the final national load shedding plan for June 2025. Each province will operate under a staggered blackout schedule, but the cumulative daily outage duration remains around 12 to 14 hours per household or business, depending on the region.
| Province | Start Time | End Time | Total Hours Off | Frequency (Daily) | Municipality Alerts | Alternate Supply Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 05:00 – 08:00, 16:00 – 23:00 | 14 hours total daily | 2 to 3 times | Joburg City Power App | Limited emergency backup | |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 06:00 – 09:00, 15:00 – 22:00 | 14 hours total daily | 2 times | Ethekwini Electricity App | Backup only for hospitals | |
| Western Cape | 03:00 – 06:00, 18:00 – 23:00 | 12 hours total daily | 2 times | City of Cape Town Website | Priority zones supported | |
| Eastern Cape | 02:00 – 06:00, 13:00 – 18:00 | 12 hours total daily | 2 times | NMBM Load Shedding Site | Under review | |
| Free State | 01:00 – 05:00, 14:00 – 20:00 | 14 hours total daily | 2 times | Local Municipality Sites | Some backup planned | |
| Northern Cape | 08:00 – 12:00, 17:00 – 21:00 | 12 hours total daily | 2 times | Provincial Communications | No alternate infrastructure | |
| Limpopo | 09:00 – 13:00, 21:00 – 23:00 | 12 hours total daily | 2 times | EskomSePush or SMS Alerts | Very limited | |
| Mpumalanga | 11:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – 21:00 | 12 hours total daily | 2 times | Social Media, WhatsApp | Emergency services only |
How to Prepare for Extended Blackouts
With power cuts extending up to 14 hours, preparation is crucial to minimize daily disruptions. Here are important steps every household and small business should take:
- Fully charge all electronic devices and backup batteries prior to outages.
- Purchase and regularly check stock of candles, rechargeable torches, and power banks.
- Keep bottled drinking water and non-perishable food items in stock, particularly if your area depends on electric water pumps.
- Use gas stoves or portable cooking equipment safely and only in well-ventilated areas.
- Invest in solar-powered emergency lights, LED lanterns, or small inverters.
- Switch off geysers and unnecessary appliances when power is available to reduce overall demand.
Being proactive can help mitigate the inconvenience of repeated power cuts and ensure the safety of your household.
Impact on Essential Services and Daily Life
The extended load shedding periods are expected to impact nearly every aspect of daily life. Eskom has stated that it is working with municipalities to prioritize service continuity, but users should still expect the following disruptions:
- Hospitals and Clinics: Emergency units are prioritized, but non-critical services and surgeries might face postponements.
- Schools and Universities: Some institutions may opt for adjusted schedules, while online learning may be hampered by network downtime.
- Public Transport: Delays in train services, traffic signal outages, and longer commute times are anticipated in metro areas.
- Small Businesses: Retailers and service providers may face reduced operating hours or service outages unless they have backup power.
Useful Load Shedding Survival Tips
- Limit use of high-power appliances like geysers and heaters to off-peak hours.
- Install surge protectors to prevent electrical damage during unexpected power restoration.
- Keep important documents and emergency kits ready at all times.
- Have multiple phone charging options such as power banks or solar chargers.
- Backup any online work frequently and use offline tools when needed.
The 14-hour daily load shedding schedule for June 2025 marks one of the most severe energy crises in South Africa’s recent history. While Eskom maintains that this step is vital to avoid a total grid shutdown, the inconvenience to daily life, businesses, and critical services is undeniable.
Departmental Contact Details for Assistance
Here are the official contacts you can reach out to for support, complaints, or information during the June 2025 load shedding period:
| Department | Contact Number | Website/Email | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Care | 08600 37566 | www.eskom.co.za | Outage reports, schedule info |
| City of Johannesburg | 011 375 5555 | www.joburg.org.za | City Power issues |
| City of Cape Town | 0860 103 089 | www.capetown.gov.za | Local schedule and exemptions |
| National Energy Regulator | 012 401 4600 | www.nersa.org.za | Tariff complaints, consumer rights |
| Disaster Management Centre | 0800 786 786 | www.ndmc.gov.za | Energy emergency management |
| Public Enterprises Hotline | 0800 601 701 | publicenterprises.gov.za | Oversight and escalation complaints |
FAQs – Eskom Load Shedding June 2025
Q1: Are all provinces facing the same level of load shedding?
A: No, while all provinces are affected, the schedule and frequency vary based on infrastructure and demand.
Q2: Will Eskom provide real-time updates?
A: Yes, citizens can access real-time updates via the EskomSePush app, Eskom’s official website, or through municipality SMS alerts.
Q3: Can solar panels fully offset the impact of load shedding?
A: Households with solar PV systems and batteries can reduce dependence on Eskom during outages, but system capacity will determine effectiveness.
Q4: Will schools and clinics be exempt?
A: Only emergency facilities may receive partial exemptions. Other institutions must make internal arrangements.
Q5: How can we report faults or vandalism during outages?
A: Reports can be made via Eskom’s toll-free hotline or through local municipal reporting tools and WhatsApp groups.