Stage 6 Loadshedding – South Africa has once again been plunged into darkness as Eskom reintroduces Stage 6 loadshedding, effective immediately. The announcement, made late Monday evening, follows the unexpected collapse of multiple generating units at the Camden and Majuba power stations — two key facilities responsible for supplying a significant chunk of the nation’s electricity. The situation has sent shockwaves across the country, leaving citizens, businesses, and industries bracing for severe disruptions throughout July. Eskom, the state-owned power utility, blamed the recurrence of intense power cuts on a combination of unplanned outages, aging infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance backlogs. The most critical breakdowns occurred at Camden and Majuba, both of which have seen repeated issues over the past year. As a result, South Africa is now forced to endure up to 10 hours of blackouts per day in some regions. The return of Stage 6 loadshedding signals a deeper crisis within Eskom and the national grid. Not only does this impact households, hospitals, and schools, but it also risks pushing the fragile economy further into distress. With winter demand peaking and generation falling short, Eskom has issued stern warnings of potential escalation to Stage 7 or even Stage 8 if the situation worsens. Below, we explore the full breakdown of the latest loadshedding developments, key power station failures, regional schedules, official responses, and what South Africans can expect in the weeks ahead.
What Triggered the Return of Stage 6 Loadshedding?
The sharp escalation in power cuts follows severe technical failures at multiple power plants.
- Camden and Majuba stations both experienced major unit failures
- Additional breakdowns reported at Tutuka, Duvha, and Kusile
- Over 19,000MW of generation capacity is currently offline
- Emergency reserves (diesel and pumped storage) are nearly depleted
- Winter demand is exceeding 32,000MW, far above current supply
- Eskom is struggling to keep maintenance and breakdowns balanced
- Grid instability has become a growing concern for energy officials
Stage 6 Loadshedding – Specific Plant Failures in July So Far
The table below outlines the major plant breakdowns contributing to the Stage 6 escalation:
| Power Station | Date of Failure | Units Affected | Capacity Lost (MW) | Reason for Breakdown | Estimated Return | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | 14 July | 3 of 6 | 840 MW | Boiler tube failure | 18 July | Offline |
| Majuba | 15 July | 2 of 6 | 740 MW | Turbine vibration issue | 20 July | Offline |
| Duvha | 13 July | 1 of 6 | 590 MW | Generator fire | 25 July | Repair ongoing |
| Tutuka | 12 July | 1 of 6 | 530 MW | Control system failure | 22 July | Delayed |
| Kusile | 11 July | 1 of 6 | 700 MW | Ash removal system fault | 21 July | Partial return |
| Hendrina | 10 July | 1 of 6 | 380 MW | Turbine trip | 19 July | Restarting |
| Matla | 9 July | 1 of 6 | 640 MW | Overheating shutdown | 20 July | Under testing |
| Lethabo | 13 July | 1 of 6 | 550 MW | Low coal quality issue | 18 July | Pending |
How Stage 6 Loadshedding Will Affect Daily Life in July
The implementation of Stage 6 will disrupt almost all aspects of life. From business hours to basic home routines, no sector is spared.
- Loadshedding schedules will follow 4-hour rotational cuts, up to 3 times a day
- Small businesses will face operational losses and low productivity
- Water pumping stations and cellphone towers may face service interruptions
- Food spoilage will increase in areas with long outages
- Students and remote workers will experience constant disruptions
- Security systems and traffic signals may fail, increasing safety risks
- Hospitals and clinics may need to rely on diesel generators
Updated Stage 6 Loadshedding Schedule by Region
Here is a sample loadshedding timing guide (based on rotational block system) for major cities:
| City | Morning (6AM–10AM) | Midday (10AM–2PM) | Afternoon (2PM–6PM) | Evening (6PM–10PM) | Night (10PM–2AM) | Late Night (2AM–6AM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Block 3 | Block 6 | Block 1 | Block 4 | Block 2 | Block 5 |
| Cape Town | Block 2 | Block 4 | Block 6 | Block 1 | Block 3 | Block 5 |
| Durban | Block 1 | Block 5 | Block 3 | Block 6 | Block 2 | Block 4 |
| Pretoria | Block 4 | Block 2 | Block 5 | Block 3 | Block 1 | Block 6 |
| Port Elizabeth | Block 6 | Block 1 | Block 4 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 5 |
| Bloemfontein | Block 5 | Block 3 | Block 2 | Block 4 | Block 6 | Block 1 |
| Polokwane | Block 2 | Block 5 | Block 1 | Block 6 | Block 4 | Block 3 |
Eskom’s Official Statement and Departmental Response
Eskom issued a press release warning of continued power system constraints and asked South Africans to urgently reduce electricity consumption. They are also ramping up diesel use to keep some peaking stations online.
- Eskom CEO Dan Marokane stated: “We regret the return to Stage 6. Unfortunately, generation losses are now at a critical level.”
- Department of Public Enterprises acknowledged the crisis and blamed aging infrastructure and past delays in energy reform.
- Government has fast-tracked approvals for renewable energy projects to ease future pressure.
- Coal deliveries and maintenance support have been intensified at Camden and Majuba.
Key Contact Details for Updates & Queries
For further assistance, load shedding queries, and emergencies, South Africans can contact the following departments:
| Department/Office | Contact Number | Email Address | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Service | 08600 37566 | [email protected] | Loadshedding updates and complaints |
| City Power Johannesburg | 011 490 7000 | [email protected] | Johannesburg power schedules |
| Cape Town Electricity Dept. | 0800 220 440 | [email protected] | Regional load shedding schedules |
| Department of Energy | 012 406 7400 | [email protected] | National energy policies and reports |
| National Energy Regulator | 012 401 4600 | [email protected] | Tariff and regulatory inquiries |
| Disaster Management Centre | 0800 111 444 | [email protected] | Emergencies and safety queries |
| Eskom Media Desk | 011 800 3435 | [email protected] | Press inquiries and public statements |
Will Loadshedding Get Worse in Coming Weeks?
Eskom has warned that the grid remains volatile. If demand increases or further breakdowns occur, Stage 7 or 8 may be unavoidable.
- Diesel reserves are low; open-cycle gas turbines may shut down if refueling delays persist
- Cold fronts will increase evening and morning electricity demand
- Repairs at Majuba and Duvha are taking longer than anticipated
- No new generating units are expected to come online in July
Short-Term Eskom Recovery Strategy
Here’s what Eskom plans to do in the next two weeks to manage the crisis:
- Prioritize repairs at Camden and Majuba for partial return by 20 July
- Restart 1,500MW of capacity from standby plants like Komati and Grootvlei
- Fast-track procurement of diesel and engage private fuel suppliers
- Implement “demand-side” management to reduce peak hour usage
Long-Term Fixes Still Years Away
While government and Eskom continue to speak of structural fixes, real solutions are far off.
- Medupi and Kusile completion delays have pushed timelines to 2027
- IPP (Independent Power Producer) procurement is delayed by regulatory backlogs
- Grid infrastructure is outdated, with minimal redundancy
- Municipalities struggle with theft, illegal connections, and non-payment
- Renewable integration is limited by transmission bottlenecks
Renewable Energy – The Untapped Hope?
Though slow, renewable energy is still seen as the long-term solution to South Africa’s energy woes.
- Wind and solar now contribute 5,200MW to the grid, but intermittently
- Grid-scale battery storage is in trial phase
- 6,800MW more from REIPPPP (Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme) approved
- Solar geysers and rooftop PV installations are growing in metros
- But grid instability means renewables need support from base load sources
Municipal Independence Grows
Some metros like Cape Town and eThekwini are fast-tracking plans to become energy independent.
- Cape Town aims to cut Eskom reliance by 40% by 2026
- Private power purchase agreements already signed with solar farms
- Load curtailment options allow critical services to avoid outages
Power Tariff Increases Also Looming
Aside from blackouts, South Africans should prepare for a price hike in August.
| Tariff Type | Old Rate (2024) | New Rate (2025) | % Increase | Effective From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Urban | R2.03/kWh | R2.36/kWh | 16.3% | 1 Aug 2025 |
| Residential Rural | R1.82/kWh | R2.12/kWh | 16.5% | 1 Aug 2025 |
| Small Business | R2.41/kWh | R2.81/kWh | 16.6% | 1 Aug 2025 |
| Industrial (Large) | R1.59/kWh | R1.85/kWh | 16.4% | 1 Aug 2025 |
Despite massive public outcry, NERSA has confirmed these increases are essential to keep Eskom operational and fund critical upgrades.
As July progresses, all eyes will remain on Eskom’s grid updates, weather patterns, and recovery timelines. South Africans are urged to plan ahead, monitor local schedules, and use energy wisely to reduce the pressure on an already fragile grid.
FAQs: Stage 6 Loadshedding – July Update
- Why is Stage 6 loadshedding back in July?
Due to major breakdowns at Camden and Majuba power stations, Eskom lost significant generation capacity, forcing a return to Stage 6. - How many hours of power cuts can we expect daily?
Areas may experience up to 10 hours of power cuts per day, usually split into 2 to 3 blocks of 4 hours each. - Which power stations failed recently?
Camden, Majuba, Duvha, Tutuka, Kusile, and others have had critical equipment failures this month. - Is there a risk of moving to Stage 7 or 8?
Yes. Eskom has warned that if breakdowns continue or demand spikes further, higher stages are possible. -
How can I check my local loadshedding schedule?
Visit loadshedding.eskom.co.za or contact your local municipality’s electricity department.