Nationwide 14-Hour Load Shedding – In a major development that affects millions of citizens and businesses, Eskom has officially confirmed the return of 14-hour daily load shedding across South Africa. This drastic move comes as the power utility continues to battle widespread infrastructure challenges and generation shortfalls. The blackout plan includes extended power cuts across all provinces, with updated load shedding schedules and limited notice periods. This return to severe load shedding is one of the most intense power cuts South Africa has seen in recent years, with Eskom citing critical generation failures and a drop in available energy supply as key reasons for the drastic move. The impact is expected to be wide-ranging, affecting industries, essential services, and daily household routines.
Why Is Load Shedding Returning in 2025?
South Africa is facing the return of severe load shedding in 2025 due to a sharp decline in Eskom’s energy generation capacity. A combination of aging infrastructure, delayed maintenance, unplanned breakdowns at major power stations, and rising winter electricity demand has overwhelmed the national grid. With the Energy Availability Factor dropping below critical levels, Eskom has been forced to reintroduce extended power cuts to prevent a total system collapse.
South Africa’s ongoing electricity crisis has reached a breaking point in mid-2025. Despite previous assurances of stabilisation, Eskom’s generation capacity has declined significantly, triggering emergency response measures.
Several key reasons contribute to the return of heavy load shedding:
- Eskom’s operational fleet is facing multiple unscheduled breakdowns, particularly at older coal-fired power stations.
- Delays in the rollout of alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind, have hampered Eskom’s ability to meet rising demand.
- Routine maintenance has been postponed repeatedly, leading to increased wear and tear on aging infrastructure.
- A spike in winter energy demand has stressed the grid further, as citizens rely more heavily on heating appliances.
Eskom officials have noted that the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has dropped to below 60%, a level that requires immediate intervention. This has triggered the implementation of Stage 6 and Stage 7 load shedding protocols, involving more frequent and prolonged outages across the country.
What South Africans Can Expect During the 14-Hour Load Shedding
During the 14-hour load shedding period, South Africans can expect major disruptions to daily life, including multiple power cuts spread across morning, afternoon, and evening hours. Essential services like water supply, internet, and mobile networks may face interruptions, while households will struggle with cooking, heating, and lighting. Small businesses, schools, and healthcare services will also experience operational challenges. Planning ahead and staying informed will be crucial to minimizing the impact during these extended blackout hours.
The consequences of these blackouts are far-reaching:
- Households will have limited electricity access for basic needs such as cooking, lighting, and device charging.
- Telecommunication towers may experience downtime, affecting mobile and internet connectivity.
- Security systems and street lighting will be interrupted, increasing safety concerns.
- Water supply in some municipalities may be affected, as pump stations rely on electricity.
- Small businesses and informal traders without backup power systems will face major operational hurdles.
The government has warned residents to brace for at least two weeks of ongoing 14-hour load shedding, depending on grid recovery efforts.
Eskom’s Updated Load Shedding Schedule for Major Cities
The table below outlines sample blackout windows in selected South African cities, based on the newly issued schedule for Stage 6 and Stage 7 load shedding:
| City/Province | Stage | Morning Outage | Afternoon Outage | Evening Outage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Stage 6 | 04:00 – 08:30 | 12:00 – 16:30 | 20:00 – 23:00 |
| Cape Town | Stage 5 | 05:00 – 09:00 | 13:00 – 17:00 | 21:00 – 00:00 |
| Durban | Stage 6 | 03:00 – 07:00 | 11:00 – 15:30 | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| Pretoria | Stage 7 | 02:00 – 06:00 | 10:00 – 14:00 | 18:00 – 21:30 |
| Port Elizabeth | Stage 5 | 06:00 – 10:00 | 14:00 – 18:00 | 22:00 – 01:00 |
| Bloemfontein | Stage 6 | 05:30 – 09:30 | 13:30 – 17:30 | 23:00 – 02:30 |
| East London | Stage 6 | 04:30 – 08:30 | 12:30 – 16:30 | 20:30 – 23:30 |
| Polokwane | Stage 7 | 01:00 – 05:00 | 09:00 – 13:00 | 17:00 – 20:00 |
These times may change based on real-time conditions, and Eskom recommends residents consult area-specific schedules through the EskomSePush app or the Eskom load shedding portal.
Tips to Prepare for Extended Power Cuts
Preparing for 14-hour blackouts requires both households and businesses to implement proactive measures that can mitigate the impact:
- Ensure that mobile phones, laptops, and power banks are charged fully during available power windows.
- Install surge protectors to prevent damage to electronic appliances during power restoration.
- Store extra drinking water and non-perishable food items.
- Where possible, invest in gas cookers, LED lights, or solar-powered lamps.
- Use battery-powered radios or emergency apps for real-time updates on load shedding.
- Schedule critical work and activities around the load shedding timetable.
- In high-crime areas, enhance physical security during blackouts with neighborhood patrols or solar lights.
Eskom’s Long-Term Energy Recovery Plan
Eskom has assured the public that efforts are underway to stabilize the national grid. The long-term energy plan includes:
- Increasing procurement from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
- Fast-tracking renewable energy projects (wind, solar, and hydro).
- Refurbishing and modernizing key coal-fired power plants.
- Expanding battery storage and smart grid networks.
- Securing emergency power from neighboring countries like Mozambique and Namibia.
- Offering incentives for domestic solar installations and embedded generation.
While the execution of these strategies may take several months or even years, Eskom has emphasized that they are critical to ending recurring load shedding.
Departments to Contact During Load Shedding
If you are experiencing an outage beyond the scheduled time or need assistance, contact the following entities:
| Department/Entity | Contact Number | Email / Website |
|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Support | 08600 37566 | [email protected] |
| City Power Johannesburg | 011 490 7000 | [email protected] |
| Western Cape Government | 021 483 8200 | [email protected] |
| Durban Electricity | 080 1313 111 | [email protected] |
| Gauteng Emergency Line | 112 (from mobile) | www.gauteng.gov.za |
| National Energy Regulator | 012 401 4600 | [email protected] |
Always verify that your local municipality’s contact details are current and operational, especially during after-hours emergencies.
As the nation deals with yet another round of extreme power cuts, the public is urged to stay calm, stay prepared, and stay informed. Eskom’s 14-hour load shedding plan may be one of the most challenging in recent memory, but resilience and community cooperation can help ease the burden. Citizens are advised to check their local schedules daily, communicate with service providers, and invest in backup solutions where possible.
FAQs About the Current Load Shedding Schedule
Q1: Is this load shedding permanent?
No. This 14-hour schedule is temporary but will remain in effect until Eskom improves its generation capacity or stabilizes demand.
Q2: Will solar panel users be affected?
If you’re off-grid or have battery backups, the impact is minimal. However, grid-tied systems without battery storage will still face downtime.
Q3: How can I know when my area will be affected?
You can visit the Eskom load shedding website, check with your municipal electricity provider, or use apps like EskomSePush.
Q4: Can I claim financial losses or damage compensation?
Only in rare cases involving negligence or infrastructure failure. Generally, Eskom does not compensate for load shedding impacts.
Q5: Are there any special rules for hospitals or police stations?
Yes. Essential services are prioritized for backup support, and some may be exempt from load shedding under emergency protocols.