Stage 6 Load Shedding – South Africa may once again face the dreaded Stage 6 load shedding this August as internal sources from Eskom reveal a leaked draft of a new energy reduction plan. The plan, aimed at preventing total grid collapse during peak winter demand, hints at severe power cuts that could disrupt households, businesses, and essential services across the country. After a relatively stable July, Eskom has reportedly faced multiple unplanned breakdowns and constrained supply conditions at key power stations, raising red flags about system reliability for August. The leaked plan outlines a phased reduction in supply, and insiders warn that Stage 6 could be implemented as early as mid-August if demand spikes and coal supplies continue to shrink. Eskom’s official statement is still awaited, but energy experts are urging citizens and industries to brace for extended outages and proactively reduce consumption. Past implementation of Stage 6 has led to 6,000 MW being removed from the grid, often causing three to four power cuts per day in some areas. This looming threat comes amid Eskom’s ongoing battle to stabilize its aging infrastructure and transition toward a more reliable energy mix. Despite recent improvements in solar integration and diesel-powered emergency reserves, Eskom still relies heavily on coal-fired power, making it vulnerable to unexpected breakdowns. The South African public, already fatigued by years of load shedding, may now have to readjust their routines and operations once again. Below, we break down the implications, proposed schedules, Eskom’s new internal plan, and how citizens can prepare.
Stage 6 Load Shedding – What to Expect This August
Eskom may roll out Stage 6 again by mid to late August. Here’s what this means for South Africans:
- Power cuts lasting up to 4 hours, 3 to 4 times a day
- High risk of blackouts during morning (6-10am) and evening (5-9pm) peak periods
- Reduced operational hours for small businesses
- Interruptions to internet connectivity, ATM services, and traffic lights
- Hospital and school operations to face severe strain
- Cold weather could make recovery harder due to higher heating demand
- Mobile networks and water supply infrastructure may experience downtime
Eskom’s Leaked Reduction Plan – Key Points
The internal strategy reportedly contains guidelines for rolling blackouts if unplanned losses exceed 17,000 MW. Here’s a breakdown of the draft plan:
- Stage 4 or higher load shedding if system losses exceed 14,000 MW
- Stage 6 load shedding if losses reach 17,500 MW+
- Diesel reserves to be prioritized for critical infrastructure only
- Temporary shutdown of certain generating units for urgent repairs
- Shift in maintenance cycles from 90-day to 60-day intervals
- Increased usage of renewable and IPP-sourced energy during daylight
- Residential load curtailment programs under review
Projected Stage 6 Load Shedding Schedule – August 2025 (Tentative)
These are Eskom’s forecasted stages of load shedding based on capacity, weather, and breakdown risk:
| Date Range | Load Shedding Stage | Expected Outage Hours | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1 – Aug 7 | Stage 3 | 2-3 hours/day | Medium |
| Aug 8 – Aug 14 | Stage 4 | 3-4 hours/day | High |
| Aug 15 – Aug 21 | Stage 6 (Possible) | 4-6 hours/day | Critical |
| Aug 22 – Aug 28 | Stage 5 | 3-5 hours/day | High |
| Aug 29 – Aug 31 | Stage 3 | 2-3 hours/day | Medium |
| Weekends | Stage 2–3 | 1-2 hours/day | Low to Medium |
| Emergency Days | Stage 6 | 6+ hours/day | Emergency |
Impact on Major Sectors and Households
The return of Stage 6 will have widespread consequences across all economic and social sectors.
- Retail and food chains: Cold storage and refrigeration systems will need alternative backup or risk spoilage
- Schools and universities: Learning schedules disrupted, especially in rural areas with weak backup supply
- Manufacturing units: Reduced shifts, machinery idling, and loss of revenue due to halted production
- Healthcare services: Life-support and emergency equipment to depend heavily on diesel generators
- Water and sanitation: Pump stations may fail during peak outages, leading to water shortages
Municipal Preparations and Support Measures
Local municipalities across provinces are coordinating with Eskom to implement contingency plans:
- Reinstatement of generator-powered critical service centers
- Additional communication of outage timings via SMS and radio alerts
- Water tankers deployed in high-risk townships
- Deployment of mobile energy pods in key health zones
- Support to informal settlements through solar-light projects
- Reallocation of diesel from non-essential zones to hospitals and SAPS centers
How to Prepare for Stage 6 Load Shedding – Household Checklist
Households are advised to adopt smart measures and prepare backup options before mid-August:
- Invest in rechargeable lights or solar-powered lamps
- Charge devices and power banks before outage periods
- Store non-perishable foods and bottled water
- Fill gas cylinders for cooking and heating
- Freeze water in bottles to use as passive cooling
- Use offline methods for work/school such as printed material
- Ensure your medical devices have a power backup option
Top 7 Backup Power Alternatives for Homes Under R10,000
| Backup Option | Duration | Approx. Cost (ZAR) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rechargeable LED Inverter | 4–6 hrs | R2,500 | Lights, WiFi Router |
| 1kVA Petrol Generator | 4 hrs | R6,000 | Lights, Fan, TV |
| Mini Solar Home System | 3–5 hrs | R3,800 | LED lights, USB charge |
| Power Bank (30,000 mAh) | 8–10 hrs | R1,200 | Mobile charging only |
| Gas Stove | N/A | R1,000 | Cooking |
| UPS for WiFi Router | 6 hrs | R950 | WiFi backup |
| Lithium Battery Inverter | 4–8 hrs | R9,500 | Whole room (light use) |
Eskom’s Public Statement Still Pending – What’s Next?
Although the leaked plan has stirred public anxiety, Eskom has not yet officially confirmed the return of Stage 6. The utility says it continues to monitor the situation closely and will update the public if the conditions change. However, given the high volume of breakdowns and limited emergency reserves, it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid deeper cuts in August.
South Africans are encouraged to stay connected to EskomSePush and local municipal apps for real-time schedule changes. Community-level awareness drives are also being planned to educate on safe generator use, energy conservation, and reporting breakdowns.
Government Support and Relief Initiatives
In light of this potential crisis, government departments are ramping up support across provinces:
- Department of Public Works to deploy mobile generators in public health and safety zones
- Department of Basic Education reviewing flexible online learning for affected schools
- Small Business Development to offer temporary relief grants for high-impact industries
- Department of Cooperative Governance coordinating provincial crisis centers
Contact Details of Relevant Departments
| Department | Contact Number | Email Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Service | 0860 037 566 | customerservices@eskom.co.za | www.eskom.co.za |
| Dept. of Mineral Resources & Energy | 012 444 3000 | info@dmre.gov.za | www.energy.gov.za |
| City of Cape Town Electricity | 0860 103 089 | power@capetown.gov.za | www.capetown.gov.za |
| Gauteng Provincial Emergency | 0800 222 111 | disaster@gauteng.gov.za | www.gauteng.gov.za |
| Department of Cooperative Governance | 012 334 0600 | info@cogta.gov.za | www.cogta.gov.za |
| Department of Basic Education | 0800 202 933 | info@dbe.gov.za | www.education.gov.za |
The possibility of Stage 6 load shedding returning this August is a harsh reminder of South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis. Whether or not Eskom implements the plan, citizens and businesses should take this warning seriously and prepare accordingly. While infrastructure fixes and government support may help in the short term, the long-term solution lies in energy diversification, greater maintenance accountability, and smart public adaptation.
FAQs of Stage 6 Load Shedding
1. What is Stage 6 load shedding?
Stage 6 means up to 6,000 MW is cut from the grid, causing 3–4 power cuts daily per area.
2. When might Stage 6 start in August?
Possibly between August 15 to August 21, depending on breakdowns and energy usage.
3. Will schools and hospitals be affected?
Yes, unless they have backup power like generators or solar.
4. How can I check my area’s schedule?
Use the EskomSePush app or your municipality’s official site.
5. What should I do to prepare?
Keep backups like power banks, rechargeable lights, gas stoves, and water bottles ready.