South Africa has once again been plunged into severe power cuts as Eskom escalated load shedding to Stage 6 in the early hours of Sunday, 23 February. The decision was taken after Stage 3 load shedding had been in place on Saturday afternoon, marking the second major instance of power cuts within a month.
Key Takeaways
- Eskom’s Crisis Deepens: South Africa has been hit with Stage 6 load shedding following multiple power station failures, marking the second major escalation in a month. The timing, just before winter, raises serious concerns about the country’s ability to keep the grid stable as energy demand increases.
- Economic and Social Fallout: Load shedding is costing the economy nearly R900 million per day, disrupting businesses, households, and essential services. The crisis also casts doubt over South Africa’s investment appeal, especially as the country prepares to host high-profile economic summits.
- Uncertainty Despite Reassurances: Eskom and government officials insist that the two-year recovery plan remains on track, but with recurring breakdowns and worsening blackouts, public confidence in a lasting solution continues to decline. Many fear that power cuts will remain a long-term reality.
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The move followed multiple breakdowns at Eskom’s power stations, prompting the state-owned utility to take drastic action to stabilise the grid. Eskom stated that implementing Stage 6 was a necessary step to replenish emergency reserves and ensure sufficient capacity for the upcoming week.
This latest escalation is yet another sign of South Africa’s deepening power crisis, with households and businesses forced to endure relentless blackouts that disrupt daily life, cripple industries, and leave millions in uncertainty. The timing, just ahead of winter, raises fresh fears that the worst is yet to come.
Emergency Alert Issued Overnight
In an emergency alert sent via WhatsApp shortly before 2 am on Sunday, Eskom confirmed that Stage 6 load shedding had been enforced at 1:30 am. The decision came after several generating units at Camden Power Station unexpectedly tripped, exacerbating the strain on the power system.
The escalation followed an earlier Stage 3 load shedding schedule, which was triggered by multiple unit failures at Majuba Power Station, as well as an additional unit trip at Medupi. These incidents led to a significant loss of 3,864 MW in generating capacity, while planned maintenance had already taken 7,506 MW offline.
Eskom maintained that the shift to Stage 6 was essential not only to manage the immediate crisis but also to restore energy reserves to ensure a more stable electricity supply in the days ahead.
For South Africans, this meant waking up to a harsh reality—longer blackouts, increased uncertainty, and a grim reminder that the country’s power crisis is far from over. The warning came without much notice, forcing businesses to scramble for backup power and households to adjust to yet another bout of extended darkness.
Severe Power Cuts Raise Concerns for Winter
This latest development marks the most severe load shedding event since February 2024. While Eskom was previously forced to implement Stage 3 load shedding on 31 January due to depleted reserves, the current escalation is particularly concerning, given its timing just ahead of South Africa’s winter season.
Although government officials and Eskom representatives have indicated that Stage 6 will likely be temporary, the increased frequency of severe power cuts underscores the fragility of the electricity supply system. The situation has renewed concerns over the country’s ability to maintain a stable grid during the colder months when demand for electricity is expected to rise significantly.
As winter approaches, the prospect of prolonged blackouts has sent shivers down the spines of millions. Businesses, already struggling with the effects of previous power cuts, now face potential closures, while families brace for freezing nights without heating. With hospitals, schools, and essential services heavily reliant on power, the spectre of Stage 6—or worse—looms large over the nation.
Government and Eskom Address the Crisis
Later on Sunday morning at 11 am, Eskom executives held an urgent media briefing to provide updates on the crisis. The briefing, attended by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, focused on the ongoing efforts to stabilise the grid and prevent further escalation.
Ramokgopa reiterated that Eskom was still following its generation recovery plan, which aims to improve plant performance and reduce unexpected breakdowns. While acknowledging the severity of the latest outages, he insisted that the government was taking all necessary measures to manage the situation.
He pointed out that unexpected large-scale failures, such as the complete shutdown of an entire power station, pose significant challenges but emphasised that Eskom is working to mitigate such risks as part of its long-term strategy.
Despite these reassurances, frustration among South Africans continues to mount. Many have grown weary of repeated promises that the crisis is under control, only to be met with yet another round of severe blackouts. Questions are now being raised about Eskom’s ability to deliver on its recovery plan, and whether political interference has hindered real progress.
Efforts to Restore Stability
Eskom executives reassured the public that efforts were underway to return stability to the grid. Eskom CEO Dan Marokane stated during the briefing that uninterrupted power supply should resume by the end of the week if no further breakdowns occur.
However, the economic consequences of prolonged load shedding remain a significant concern. If the outages persist, they will deal another blow to an economy that has already suffered from years of unreliable electricity supply.
The timing of the latest power crisis is also particularly problematic, as South Africa prepares to host key international economic meetings. Cape Town is set to welcome officials from major global economies for the B20 summit, a precursor to the larger Group of 20 (G20) summit scheduled to take place in Sandton later this year.
The timing of the power cuts could not be worse. With global leaders arriving for crucial economic discussions, South Africa is once again showcasing its most pressing weakness—its inability to keep the lights on. Investors, already hesitant due to the country’s unstable energy supply, may now be even more reluctant to commit capital to a nation where power failures are the norm rather than the exception.
Economic Impact of Ongoing Load Shedding
The financial toll of load shedding continues to weigh heavily on the country. According to estimates from the South African Reserve Bank, the power cuts have cost the economy as much as R899 million per day. This ongoing crisis played a key role in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national elections.
Prior to the elections, Eskom had managed to halt load shedding for several months, leading to speculation that improvements in maintenance and operational efficiency had led to a more stable supply. Marokane previously attributed this period of stability to better plant maintenance, improved workforce morale, and measures taken to combat corruption and criminal activity within Eskom.
Critics, however, argue that the pre-election period of stability was nothing more than a political strategy—an artificial suppression of outages rather than a genuine turnaround in Eskom’s fortunes. Now that the elections are over, the reality of a crumbling power grid has returned with a vengeance.
Long-Term Outlook for South Africa’s Energy Supply
Despite the severe power cuts, officials continue to insist that progress is being made towards stabilising the country’s electricity supply. Ramokgopa reaffirmed that Eskom remains committed to the two-year generation recovery plan, which was launched in March 2023. He expressed confidence that once this plan is fully implemented, load shedding could become a thing of the past.
However, with Stage 6 load shedding now in effect and ongoing risks of further breakdowns, South Africans remain wary of such assurances. The latest round of blackouts serves as another reminder of the challenges Eskom continues to face in keeping the lights on.
Conclusion
South Africa’s electricity crisis shows no signs of easing, with Stage 6 load shedding serving as a stark reminder of Eskom’s ongoing struggles. While government officials attempt to reassure the public that stability is within reach, the growing frequency of blackouts paints a different picture. Businesses and households are left to navigate yet another round of disruptions, while the broader economic impact continues to mount. With winter approaching and no clear end in sight, the country faces an uphill battle to regain control over its fragile energy supply.
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