Stage 6 Load Shedding – South Africa is once again facing a nationwide electricity crisis as Eskom officially confirms the implementation of Stage 6 Load Shedding starting August 9, 2025. With the country’s already fragile power infrastructure under immense pressure, Eskom has warned of 10-hour daily blackouts in many areas across all provinces. The national grid is teetering on the edge of collapse, forcing urgent interventions and strict rotational outages to prevent a complete system failure. Stage 6 is one of the highest levels of load shedding, which means that up to 6,000MW of electricity is removed from the grid at any given time. This has a direct impact on homes, schools, businesses, and critical services like hospitals. According to Eskom, unplanned breakdowns at major power stations, ongoing maintenance delays, fuel shortages, and increased winter electricity demand have all contributed to this severe crisis. Consumers are now being urged to reduce power consumption immediately, stay updated via official schedules, and prepare for long hours without electricity. From August 9 onwards, South Africans should expect multiple outages each day, some lasting up to 4 hours per session. The energy crisis has reached what experts call a “national emergency level.”
What Does Stage 6 Load Shedding Mean for You?
Stage 6 means more frequent and longer blackouts throughout the day. Eskom uses load shedding stages to manage demand and prevent a grid collapse.
- Up to 6,000 MW removed from the grid at a time
- Power cuts may occur up to 3–4 times per day
- Each outage may last 2.5 to 4 hours
- Both residential and industrial areas are affected
- Mobile networks, water supply, and traffic may be disrupted
Stage 6 Load Shedding Schedule (Sample for Major Cities)
| Province | City | Number of Outages | Outage Duration | Total Daily Hours | Earliest Time | Latest Time | Critical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | Johannesburg | 4 | 3 hours each | 12 hours | 04:00 | 23:00 | Severe |
| Western Cape | Cape Town | 3 | 3.5 hours | 10.5 hours | 05:00 | 22:30 | Moderate |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Durban | 3 | 3 hours | 9 hours | 06:00 | 23:00 | High |
| Eastern Cape | Gqeberha | 3 | 3 hours | 9 hours | 06:30 | 22:00 | High |
| Free State | Bloemfontein | 2 | 4 hours | 8 hours | 07:00 | 23:00 | Moderate |
| Limpopo | Polokwane | 3 | 3 hours | 9 hours | 05:30 | 22:30 | High |
| Mpumalanga | Mbombela | 4 | 2.5 hours | 10 hours | 04:00 | 23:30 | Critical |
| North West | Mahikeng | 3 | 3 hours | 9 hours | 06:00 | 23:00 | Moderate |
Key Reasons Behind the August 2025 Grid Crisis
South Africa’s power supply has been under threat for years, but this latest crisis is the result of multiple systemic failures.
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- Unplanned breakdowns at Kusile, Medupi, and Kendal Power Stations
- Delays in returning generating units to service after repairs
- Lack of sufficient diesel reserves for open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs)
- Ongoing cable theft and infrastructure sabotage
- Winter demand exceeding supply by over 3,500 MW
- Slow rollout of renewable energy projects due to red tape
- Limited support from Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
Breakdown of Current Generation vs Demand – August 2025
| Category | Megawatts (MW) |
|---|---|
| National Demand (Peak) | 32,000 |
| Available Supply | 25,700 |
| Shortfall | 6,300 |
| Renewable Contribution | 3,500 |
| Diesel Generation (OCGTs) | 1,800 |
| Coal Generation Loss | 6,200 |
| Total Load Shedding Stage | Stage 6 |
What Can Households and Businesses Do to Cope?
With 10-hour blackouts likely to affect daily routines and income generation, planning is crucial for all South Africans.
- Use EskomSePush or municipal apps to track load shedding schedules
- Invest in backup power options (inverters, solar panels, generators)
- Keep phones, power banks, and emergency lights charged
- Stock up on non-perishable food and water
- Plan work-from-home schedules around outages
- Protect sensitive electronics with surge protectors
Business Continuity Tips During Stage 6 Load Shedding
- Schedule critical operations outside blackout hours
- Equip offices with UPS systems and solar backup
- Consider remote working for employees during peak outages
- Update customers on operational changes
- Use cloud-based services to protect business data
Eskom’s Emergency Measures and Government Involvement
Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy are taking urgent steps to mitigate the crisis.
- Emergency procurement of diesel and coal to support backup stations
- Fast-tracking repairs of 8 major generation units by mid-August
- Working with municipalities to avoid overloading vulnerable substations
- Accelerated onboarding of 2,000 MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
- Ramping up import agreements from Mozambique and Namibia
Official Statement from Eskom Spokesperson (August 5, 2025)
“We are currently facing one of the most challenging periods in South Africa’s energy history. Load Shedding Stage 6 is a necessary step to avoid a total collapse of the grid. We urge the public to cooperate, conserve energy, and prepare accordingly. The situation remains dynamic and can change daily.”
Impact on Schools, Hospitals, and Transport Infrastructure
Critical services are feeling the weight of prolonged electricity cuts. Eskom and the government are trying to exempt vital infrastructure from full outages.
Expected Impact in Essential Sectors
| Sector | Impact Description | Backup Support Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | Interruption of learning, especially online | Limited in rural areas |
| Hospitals | Backup generators strained, surgery delays | Yes, but aging equipment |
| Public Transport | Signal disruptions, delay in timetables | No |
| Water Supply | Pump station outages affect supply | Partially |
| Telecommunication | Tower battery backups last 4 hours max | Limited |
| Security | Alarm systems, CCTV down during blackouts | No |
Departmental Contact Details for Updates and Complaints
Stay informed and report local issues directly to the responsible departments using the following contacts:
| Department | Contact Number | Email Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Support | 08600 37566 | customerservices@eskom.co.za | www.eskom.co.za |
| Department of Energy | 012 406 7481 | info@energy.gov.za | www.energy.gov.za |
| City Power Johannesburg | 011 490 7000 | info@citypower.co.za | www.citypower.co.za |
| Cape Town Electricity | 0800 220 440 | power@capetown.gov.za | www.capetown.gov.za |
| Durban Electricity (eThekwini) | 080 13 13 111 | electricity@durban.gov.za | www.durban.gov.za |
| NERSA (Energy Regulator) | 012 401 4600 | complaints@nersa.org.za | www.nersa.org.za |
As South Africa enters one of its most serious energy emergencies in recent years, citizens are encouraged to stay informed, prepared, and cooperative. Eskom’s Stage 6 load shedding measures, while severe, are essential to maintaining grid stability and preventing total blackout conditions across the country.
FAQs of Stage 6 Load Shedding
1. How long will Stage 6 Load Shedding last?
While Eskom has not set a fixed end date, Stage 6 is expected to continue through mid to late August 2025 unless significant generating units return to service.
2. Can load shedding go beyond Stage 6?
Yes, if breakdowns increase or demand surges, Eskom may escalate to Stage 7 or 8. Preparations are in place for such contingencies.
3. Are there areas exempt from load shedding?
Only critical infrastructure like major hospitals, certain water plants, and military bases may be partially exempted.
4. How can I get my area’s load shedding schedule?
You can check EskomSePush, your municipal electricity provider’s website, or call Eskom’s hotline.
5. Is it safe to use electrical appliances after power returns?
Wait 10–15 minutes before turning appliances back on to prevent damage from voltage spikes.
How can individuals prepare for 10-hour blackouts during Stage 6 load shedding?
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Stock up on essentials, charge devices, and have alternative light sources ready.
