essay about load shedding in south africa

Effects of Load Shedding in South Africa Essay Guide

Effects of Load Shedding in South Africa Essay Guide: Load shedding, a term all too familiar to South Africans, refers to the deliberate interruption of electricity supply to various areas as a last resort to prevent the collapse of the power system. This practice has become increasingly prevalent in South Africa due to the inability of the national power utility, Eskom, to meet the country’s electricity demands. In this essay guide, we will delve into the various effects load shedding has on South Africa, ranging from economic consequences to social implications and potential solutions.

Table of Contents

Effects of Load Shedding in South Africa

Economic consequences.

Load shedding has a profound impact on the South African economy. The consequences include:

a) Loss of Productivity: Businesses experience significant losses in productivity due to load shedding . The intermittent power supply hinders the ability to operate efficiently and fulfill orders in a timely manner.

b) Decreased Foreign Investment: The unreliable power supply deters foreign investors, which negatively impacts the nation’s economic growth and job creation.

c) Increased Cost of Goods and Services: With businesses having to rely on costly alternative power sources, such as generators, the cost of production increases. This leads to an increase in the prices of goods and services.

Social Implications

The effects of load shedding extend beyond the economic sphere, impacting the daily lives of South Africans:

a) Disrupted Education: Load shedding affects educational institutions, interrupting classes and hampering students’ learning experiences.

b) Health and Safety Concerns: Hospitals and other healthcare facilities face challenges in maintaining proper care for patients, while crime rates can also increase due to inadequate lighting and security systems in the dark.

c) Inconvenience and Stress: Load shedding disrupts daily routines, causing frustration and stress among citizens as they struggle to cope with the unpredictability of power outages.

Environmental Impact

Load shedding contributes to environmental concerns, as individuals and businesses turn to alternative power sources:

a) Increased Carbon Emissions: The use of diesel generators as a backup power source results in higher carbon emissions, which exacerbates climate change and air pollution.

b) Depletion of Natural Resources: The reliance on non-renewable energy sources, such as diesel and coal, for backup power depletes the country’s natural resources and further damages the environment.

Potential Solutions

Addressing the issue of load shedding in South Africa requires both short-term and long-term strategies:

a) Expanding and Diversifying Energy Sources: Investing in alternative, renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help reduce the country’s reliance on an overburdened power grid.

b) Improving Infrastructure: Upgrading and maintaining the existing power infrastructure will increase its efficiency and capacity, reducing the need for load shedding.

c) Encouraging Energy Efficiency: Promoting energy conservation practices and implementing energy-efficient technologies can help reduce overall energy consumption.

d) Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with the private sector to develop and maintain power infrastructure can help address some of the challenges facing the public utility.

How to choose topics related to the Effects of Load Shedding in South Africa

When choosing a topic for your load-shedding essay, consider the following:

• Your area of interest: What aspect of load shedding in South Africa interests you the most?
• Relevance: Is the topic you are choosing relevant to the current situation in South Africa?
• Availability of information: Is there enough information available on your chosen topic to write a well-researched essay?
• Uniqueness: Is your topic unique and original?

List of Topics:

• The economic impact of load shedding in South Africa
• Load shedding and the environment: the effects of carbon emissions
• Load shedding and education: how it affects students’ learning
• Load shedding and crime: the correlation between power outages and crime rates
• The effects of load shedding on the mining industry in South Africa
• Load shedding and healthcare: how it affects the healthcare system in South Africa
• The psychological effects of load shedding on South Africans
• The impact of load shedding on small businesses in South Africa
• The role of renewable energy in reducing load shedding in South Africa
• Load shedding and water scarcity: the impact on water supply in South Africa
• The effects of load shedding on South Africa’s tourism industry
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s industrial sector
• The role of government in managing load shedding in South Africa
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s international relations
• The effects of load shedding on the telecommunications industry in South Africa
• Load shedding and gender-based violence: the link between power outages and violence against women
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s agricultural sector
• Load shedding and food security: the effects of power outages on food production and distribution
• The effects of load shedding on South Africa’s transportation industry
• Load shedding and the digital divide: the impact on access to the internet and technology
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s informal sector
• Load shedding and household energy consumption: the effects on electricity bills
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s entertainment industry
• Load shedding and the manufacturing industry: the impact on production and supply chain
• The effects of load shedding on South Africa’s real estate industry
• Load shedding and the retail sector: the impact on consumer spending
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s stock market
• Load shedding and air pollution: the effects on air quality in South Africa
• The impact of load shedding on South Africa’s renewable energy goals
• Load shedding and the gig economy: the impact on freelance workers in South Africa.

Video: Impact of load shedding on businesses

These topics are not exhaustive, and you can develop them further based on your interest and research. Remember to choose a topic that is relevant, unique, and has enough information to support your argument.

Load shedding in South Africa has far-reaching consequences that touch everyaspect of society. From economic challenges to social implications and environmental concerns, the effects of this crisis are pervasive and complex. Addressing load shedding requires a multifaceted approach that includes investing in alternative energy sources, improving existing infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency, and fostering public-private partnerships. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges head-on, South Africa can work towards a more stable and sustainable energy future for its citizens. In doing so, the nation will be better equipped to support economic growth, improve quality of life, and contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate change.

• South Africa
• Load Shedding What It Is...

Load Shedding: What Is It and Why Is It Affecting South Africa?

Freelance Writer - instagram.com/andrewthompsonsa

The term ‘load shedding’ is right up there with South African slang like ‘bakkie’, ‘braai’ and ‘robot’ when it comes to eliciting strange looks from travellers. But what is it and why is it affecting South Africa? Unfortunately, unlike trucks (bakkies), barbecues (braais) and traffic lights (robots), load shedding is more likely to negatively affect your trip to South Africa. That’s because the term is little more than a euphemism for the country’s ongoing grapples with erratically-scheduled and unpredictable, nationwide rolling electricity blackouts.

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Blackouts started in 2007

The term ‘load shedding’ first started dominating the South African lexicon in 2007, when the country’s national electricity utility, Eskom, announced that it was unable to supply power to the entire country at the same time.

As a result, they announced they would need to implement a blackout schedule – that they dubbed ‘load shedding’ – in order to prevent the entire power grid from collapsing.

The hastily-organised plan to reduce the load on the country’s power grid was met with confusion, disorganisation, disdain, and an unusual sense of unity as the population rallied against a shared hatred.

At the time, experts warned that the country’s economy could suffer significantly due to the rolling blackouts, and Eskom announced that the blackouts would remain for at least the next “five to seven years”.

Poor management, incompetence, or corruption?

Many blamed poor management and incompetence within the organisation, although recent revelations suggest that it was primarily due to corruption and a massive ‘get-rich scheme’.

Still, the country rallied – citizens who could afford them bought generators and gas stoves, most learnt to go back to the days of reading by candlelight or making polite conversation in front of blank televisions, and most heeded the government’s urgent calls – often during prime time news bulletins – to reduce power usage.

South Africa eventually emerged from the often two-hour, twice-daily blackouts, and managed to stage a successful football World Cup in spite of the electrical supply doomsayers. And for a few years, many thought the dark days of rolling power cuts were a thing of the past.

But just as load shedding was starting to fade from dinnertime conversations, it was catapulted back into national headlines. In 2012, Eskom announced that the likelihood of fresh power cuts was “ very high “, and would likely remain as such until at least 2017.

Power cuts here to stay

Fast-forward to 2019, well outside all of the initial predictions, and the country once again sits in a dire situation when it comes to nationwide electrical supply.

Much like those affected by Cape Town’s water crisis , many residents are now in a position to be at least somewhat self-sustainable for the periodic electricity-free life that hits the country several times a week.

Many commercial operations have installed automatic generators that kick in at the first indication of a power cut, and smaller home businesses rely on battery power and universal power supplies to keep their electronics running without relying on the grid.

The impact of load shedding is more than just a minor inconvenience, though. Experts warn that the blackouts will cost the country millions, and that there is now no real indication as to when the problem will be resolved.

What this means for you

Although residents are now well-versed on how to handle the blackouts, many visitors to South Africa are left confused by the concept and how it will affect them.

Unlike the early days of load shedding, most cities now have plans in place to alert residents of imminent power cuts and load shedding schedules – although these are often confusing and not adhered to.

Load shedding typically occurs in two-hour blocks, and at its worst this will likely be twice daily. If you’re staying in a hotel, staff there should be aware of the schedule and be able to inform you accordingly.

Alternatively, you can also check the latest status on the Eskom website , or your local city’s social media pages.

Fortunately, as a visitor to South Africa, it’s unlikely your day-to-day activities will be significantly impacted, and load shedding is no reason to cancel a holiday to the country.

Most businesses in the tourism industry, from restaurants and hotels to shopping malls and wine estates, have measures in place to counteract the impact of the power cuts, to the point that you may not even notice the disruption.

The same goes for hospitals and other essential services – all have contingency plans in place and many national key points are excluded from the cuts altogether.

The one factor that visitors, residents and business can’t ignore, however, is traffic. If you need catch a flight in the upcoming days, it may be prudent to check the load shedding schedules to ensure you avoid the inevitable traffic the blackouts will cause.

Still, certain power-hungry businesses like malls and restaurants might need to cease operation for a few hours while you’re in the country, in which case you will have little option but to unplug for a few hours and head outdoors. But, as a visitor to South Africa, that is not a particularly bad prospect in itself.

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What is the impact of load shedding in South Africa?

Rebecca Egan

Senior Intelligence Analyst

Load shedding in South Africa: What is the electricity crisis?

South Africa is experiencing high stages of load shedding affecting businesses and society. In an attempt to prevent the collapse of the electrical grid, Eskom (national public electricity utility) has implemented rolling blackouts. The load shedding schedule is divided into 8 different stages, with each stage increasing the number of hours per day that the electrical supply will be turned off. Earlier in 2023, load shedding reached stage 6, with power outages of at least 6 hours a day.

Rolling blackouts are expected to last for the remainder of the year. President Ramaphosa described rolling power cuts as an existential threat to the economy and social fabric of the country.

The electricity crisis has heavily impacted business and the economy and is feeding existing political and societal ruptures. 

The image shows the impact of the outages resulting in increased criminality and political demonstrations [image source: Intelligence Fusion].

What is the economic impact of load shedding?

The ongoing energy crisis is hindering the economic growth of the country. The second quarter of 2022 showed that the country’s GDP decreased by 0.7%. South Africa’s chance of a recession in 2023 is 45%, with the economy unlikely to grow by 0.3% each quarter. Economists predict that the GDP of 2023 will decrease to 1.2% from 2.3% in 2022.

Load shedding has affected South Africa’s economic recovery as the power cuts cost the country between 204 million rand (USD 11,281,997.64) and 899 million rand (USD 49,773,519) per day.

What are the wider infrastructure challenges?

South Africa is facing wider infrastructure issues. There have been ongoing rail disruptions caused by the lack of spare parts for trains and security to run them.

A 2022 report on infrastructure in South Africa assessed that 15 of the 32 infrastructure segments are satisfactory. The overall rating of the infrastructure was a D, meaning that it is poorly maintained and not coping with the normal demand. The SAICE claims this infrastructure is potentially a severe inconvenience and/or danger to the public if no action is taken. 

How is load shedding impacting small businesses?

Small businesses have had to adjust operating hours to accommodate the load shedding schedule. Loss of planning, low staff morale, theft increases, loss of internet connectivity, payment processing disruption and broken equipment are other ways small businesses have been affected. The increased cost of doing business has led to companies letting go of staff, whilst others have been pushed to the brink of closure. A Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) and Ministry of Small Business Development survey found that 71% of businesses have been negatively affected by load shedding.

The image shows some of the disruptions that have occurred due to the planned blackouts [image source: Intelligence Fusion].

Affected Sectors

What's the government’s response to the crisis.

In response to the crisis, a state of disaster was declared, and a minister of electricity was appointed within the presidency. With the implementation of the state of disaster, the government intends to respond to the crisis with fewer bureaucratic delays. 

The National Executive Committee strategic planning meeting stated that in order to rebuild, save and protect Eskom, it would require a reallocation of the national budget. The national budget is already strained by a growing welfare state at a time when the emigration of skilled and high-income earners poses a threat to the tax system, according to Standard Bank Group.

Whilst the state of disaster has been implemented, prior experiences of this have not been positive. The state of disaster could lead to an increase in maladministration, corruption and unauthorised expenditures. Some also believe that adding the position of minister of electricity will add to bureaucracy.

Pravin Gordhan stated that Eskom is heavily impacted by corruption within the company. Gwede Mantashe, an influential figure with the ANC, stated that there are multiple actions that need to be taken in order to end load shedding within the next 6-12 months: power should be imported from neighbouring countries, employ more skilled employees and an urgency to repair its coal-fired plants. 

As part of the state of disaster, the government will also offer more support to farmers, food processors and distribution and logistics companies while also exempting critical infrastructure from load shedding. In order to combat problems within the energy sector, Ramaphosa has organised the National Energy Crisis Committe e. The purpose of the NECOM is to ensure that the Energy Action Plan, announced by Ramaphosa on the 25th July 2022, is implemented quickly and that the government’s response is coordinated effectively.

The Energy Action Plan has a number of measures that are designed to assist in the betterment of the sector. These include private sector investment in the generation of energy, and there is an emphasis on renewable energy. 

ANC (African National Congress)

The latest polls show that electoral support for the ANC has dropped to new lows. Divisions are also forming within the party. Members of the party loyal to the ex-president Jacob Zuma are leaving the party to form a far-left movement known as the Radical Economic Transformation Movement (RETMO), formed by Carl Neihaus. RETMO is seeking to topple Ramaphosa in the 2024 elections. If influential members of the ANC, like Ace Magashule, join RETMO, this could take away from their voter base. 

EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters)

In response to the crisis and the decisions of the ANC, the EFF held a national shutdown on the 20th March. The EFF is calling for the resignation of President Ramaphosa and for a reliable electricity supply. The EFF held protests in major cities, such as; Durban, Cape town, Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The national shutdown has been described as only the beginning, and they are calling for intensified efforts to get President Ramaphosa to resign. 

The image shows demonstrations that may impact businesses, assets and people [image source: Intelligence Fusion].

DA (Democratic Alliance)

On 25th January, the DA declared a National Day of Action against the ANC’s load shedding and their unaffordable electricity price increases. The DA has stated that it will challenge the declaration of a state of disaster in court, claiming that the ANC has issued “nonsensical regulations and abused procurement processes during the pandemic”. The DA has released a list of solutions to address the electricity crisis.

What is the social impact of load shedding?

Civil unrest.

Planned and unplanned protests have taken place in response to the ongoing electricity crisis, affecting other service delivery.

The protests varied in size depending on the area where they were held. In major metropolitan areas, protests with a larger turnout were seen. In most cases, these protests were peaceful, with minor disruptions affecting traffic and service delivery, with rare cases of violence and looting reported. Public service workers held strikes calling for a wage increase, and unions such as; SAPU and NEHAWU have joined the strikes. 

There was a marked increase in protests in March 2023:

The image shows an increase in protests and demonstrations in March 2023 [image source: Intelligence Fusion].

There is a likelihood that these blackouts will worsen inequality within the country, with many higher-income areas reportedly not receiving the same harsh rolling blackouts as other lower-income areas. Higher-income households are also more resilient to the effects of power outages. Load shedding is also leading to unemployment, or wage freezes as companies cut costs to stay afloat and to deal with the inevitable drop in productivity.

Power cuts are also affecting people’s ability to study or look for employment. For one gigabyte of data, people are paying 85 rand, which is the equivalent of four hours of work for people earning minimum wage.

Racial Tension

Due to the increased number of protests being reported around the country, it is likely to lead to an increase in racial tensions or xenophobic attacks, particularly if there is a breakdown in law and order, as was the case in 2021 in areas including Durban where law enforcement’s inability to cope with looting led to communities resorting to vigilantism. Tensions may be higher since the planned national shutdown that occurred on the 20th March by the EFF or if there is a total grid collapse. 

Load shedding is impacting households in a variety of different ways. Food inflation reached a 14-year high, partly due to the Ukraine war and COVID-19, and prices could spike if sustained load shedding continues . Household electricity appliances and devices are affected in a variety of ways, with some posing a fire risk. An increase in fires at formal structures in Johannesburg has been associated with increased power outages. Informal settlements are also at risk.

There is a known link between power outages and increased crime, causing concern to businesses and households.

Increased crime has been observed in higher-income areas, however, the number of crimes in lower-income areas is also increasing. Businesses or households without back-up power systems are particularly exposed as their alarm and/or CCTV systems are not functional at all times. Additionally, security companies have stated that criminals may be taking advantage of security systems being damaged by the continual power outages. 

Increased crime can be offset through increased visible policing, and businesses or households could employ private security. However, police are largely dependent on street lighting, an effective crime prevention measure. What’s more, electrical infrastructure has been targeted by cable thieves during load shedding. In December 2022, the theft of electrical cables led to a loss of supply to customers in the town of Darnall in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The image shows increased burglary and theft in the area due to load shedding [image source: Intelligence Fusion].

The decline of policing in South Africa has been well documented. Research by Lizette Lancaster of the Institute for Security Studies found that the police’s ability to solve murders declined by 38% in the past decade since 2011/2012.

The Head of Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, Gareth Newham, has stated that over the past five years, there has been a decline in the police’s ability to solve armed robberies and tackle organised crime. An increase in attacks on police stations during rolling blackouts is another concern, as it leaves people and businesses vulnerable to crime. 

In conclusion, South Africa is being negatively affected by the load shedding as it is impacting various economic, public and private sectors throughout the country. With the ongoing energy crisis, we are likely to see a continuation of the civil unrest through protests and increased political and racial tensions across the country.

At Intelligence Fusion, we help transform the risk management practices of organisations by providing them with unrivalled situational awareness via our threat intelligence platform. We track and accurately geolocate, among other things, crime, unrest and hazards across the globe in near-real-time, as well as the impact of the changing threat landscape on businesses, governments and the military.

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About the author

Rebecca is Senior Intelligence Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Intelligence Fusion.

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Load shedding in South Africa: Another nail in income inequality?

• Roula Inglesi-Lotz Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7509-4687

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Total grid collapse? Billions in losses? 10 questions answered about load shedding in South Africa

Published by section27 on april 15, 2024 april 15, 2024.

This report was written by Africa Check, a non-partisan fact-checking organisation. View the original piece on their website .

*This article is more than 7 months old

Winnie Theletsane – Copy editor

An interesting – or, more likely, disturbing – fact: this November will mark the 16th anniversary of load shedding in South Africa.

The country has been experiencing electricity problems  since November 2007 , when the state-owned power utility Eskom began struggling to meet demand. At the time, then president Thabo Mbeki  conceded that  his government should have expanded capacity.

Since then, Eskom has regularly resorted to load shedding,  which it says  helps to balance supply and demand in order  to avoid a national blackout .

With elections looming in 2024, the power cuts are a political football, with president Cyril Ramaphosa  admitting in January 2023  that “everyone is fed up”. 

In this factsheet, we answer some frequently asked questions about load shedding, including the cost to the economy, and what the worst-case scenario of a grid collapse would look like.

Award winning … once upon a time

Established  in 1923  as the Electricity Supply Commission (Escom), Eskom is South Africa’s power utility,  responsible for  the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. These functions are now  being unbundled  into separate entities.

It hasn’t always been doom and gloom for the state-owned company. According to the Cape Town-based civil society research organisation  Alternative Information and Development Centre , in 1994 Eskom had a “spare”  capacity of 31%  and electricity in South Africa was among the cheapest in the world.

The utility  itself notes  that in 2001 it won the Power Company of the Year award at a global energy ceremony in New York City, in the US.

1. What is load shedding? 

Eskom  describes  load shedding as “a controlled process that responds to unplanned events in order to protect the electricity power system from a total blackout”.

In 2022, the Pan South African Language Board  declared  “load-shedding” its word of the year. That year saw the highest number of days with power cuts since they were introduced, with  just over 200 . 

As of 15 August 2023, South Africa had already experienced  201 days  of load shedding. 

2. So, how does load shedding work? 

The power utility says load shedding has  two components :

• Load curtailment, where large customers such as industries are asked to reduce electricity use, a process that can take up to two hours
• Load shedding

Load shedding comes in stages, from one to eight at the time of writing. Each stage sees Eskom shed between  1,000 and 8,000 megawatts (MW) of power  at specific times of the day in certain areas.

So stage one removes 1,000MW from the grid, stage two sheds 2,000MW, and so on.

“The higher the load shedding stages, the more frequently you will experience load shedding and the greater the number of affected customers,”  Eskom says .

Lower levels of load shedding mean that Eskom can still stabilise the grid, replenish its generation reserves and continue to produce electricity.

At stage eight, consumers could be left in the dark  for up to 48 hours  over four days. The highest level officially reached  by August 2023 was six . However, industry bodies were revising existing guidelines  to include up to 16 levels , which  analysts have said  was more out  of caution  than necessity.

The bodies which operate under the umbrella of the National Rationalised Specifications Association of South Africa, or NRS, have been at pains to point out that media references to load shedding as being the same as “rolling blackouts” are “unfortunate and misleading”.

This, they say,  is because  the term load shedding “is an internationally accepted engineering term and understood to be for controlled load reduction by interrupting supply to customers on a rotational basis”.

In a nutshell, load shedding is controlled while a blackout is not. ( Note: Read more on the different terms  here ).  

The NRS, a voluntary group,  plays a crucial role  in the development of regulations that govern load shedding.

3. Who turns off the lights?

Once Eskom has determined the level of load shedding, municipalities or metros provide their  own schedules  for their areas. In some cases, Eskom develops the schedule  but has said it  “only directly supplies more than 6 million households which means that most of us are supplied by municipalities”. According  to Statistics South Africa , there are an estimated 18 million households in the country.

Eskom’s national control centre is situated in Germiston, in the Gauteng province. Here, a team of engineers  ensures that  load shedding takes place as planned. They work in 12-hour shifts and are part of a  600-staff team  at the facility.

This team monitors all regions in the provinces  to ensure that  municipal-level technicians comply with the load shedding schedule. Recently one large municipality – Ekurhuleni, a suburban region in eastern Gauteng –  drew the ire of Eskom  for its lax implementation of load shedding.

The technicians are responsible for switching power on and off at  substations  and are in constant contact with the control centre.  (Note: If you have time on your hands,  this popular TikTok video  shows a technician hard at work switching off your power.)

Each substation supplies power to a number of areas that  make up a block  within a municipality. For example,  block 1  in the City of Johannesburg might consist of 20 suburbs and townships.

4. Is anyone exempt from load shedding? 

“There shouldn’t be any area that doesn’t experience load shedding,” Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena told Africa Check. “The code of practice document doesn’t allow us to discriminate against customers, where you load shed some and don’t load shed others. We need to apply it equitably.”

The  load shedding code of practice  to which she referred was developed by the NRS, which works closely with the government. It  was last updated  in 2019 and includes the following exemptions:  

• National key points – sites that are important to the country’s security and economy. They include the  Union Buildings , the official seat of government in Pretoria,  parliament  in Cape Town, and the headquarters of the  South African Reserve Bank  in Pretoria.
• The state-owned residences of ministers and their deputies. In  a media interview , spokesperson for the department of public enterprises and administration Moses Moshe explained why: “Just like the president’s residence is a national key point, those residences, for the fact that they host members of the executive, they also become national key points. So the risk of load shedding for those properties is eliminated.” Moshe cited the safety of cabinet members and their need to be available to serve the country at all times as reasons for the decision. However, he said, their private homes were load shed.
• Other sites , such as commuter rail systems, water plants that supply power stations, refineries, some coal mines, fuel pipelines and electricity control centres. As of November 2022,  77 health facilities  were exempt. The country’s health department said this was to minimise disruption to the provision of essential health services.

However, there have  been   several   reports  of patient’s lives being put at risk due to load shedding. In May 2023, the Pretoria high court  ordered that  all public hospitals, clinics, schools and police stations be exempted. The government  was appealing  the decision.

5. So, what is a grid collapse? 

Eskom describes a total blackout as an “uncontrolled loss of energy in the entire power system”. It  occurs when  there is “too much electricity demand and too little supply, bringing the power system into an imbalance and consequently tripping the power system in its entirety”.

According to Gav Hurford , Eskom’s national control manager for system operator and transmission, the grid operates at 50 hertz. Hertz is a  unit of   frequency. 

Prof  Thinus Booysen , from the department of electrical and electronic engineering at the  University of Stellenbosch , told radio station CapeTalk  in November 2021  that it was crucial that demand never outstripped supply. “When demand outstrips supply, that 50 hertz goes down slightly. If generators can’t bear the brunt, one by one the generators will shut down if nothing is done to demand. Then we have a blackout.” 

A total collapse of the grid would take seconds, Booysen told the station.

Eskom has said that in the event of a total grid collapse, there would be  little-to-no warning : “At best, the system operator may be able to alert the country should the system be at increased risk.” 

The system operator is responsible for keeping  supply and demand  in balance at all times, and for deciding what level of load shedding is necessary.

In a  much-cited presentation  carried by the National Science and Technology Forum in November 2021, Hurford  said that , in general, major blackouts started with a fault in the transmission system, which knocked out the generator, leading to a cascading event. 

Technological error could also contribute to the complete collapse of the grid. 

Considering all the scenarios that could lead to a grid collapse, Prof Hartmut Winkler, an energy analyst at the University of Johannesburg,  told radio station Voice of the Cape in May 2023  that it could even happen “when there’s no load shedding at all” simply because demand could outstrip supply at “any moment”. 

“But load shedding is designed to prevent exactly that from happening and it doesn’t mean that the higher the stage, the closer you’re getting to a grid collapse.”

6. But what would a grid collapse look like?

There has been  no shortage  of dire scenarios painted, from  politicians  and  political parties  to  energy analysts  and even Eskom itself,  which said  a national blackout would have “serious consequences”. 

In the event of  a total grid failure , Eskom has  warned of  widespread looting, hospital deaths, morgues running out of space and the possibility of explosions at power stations as they try to restore power.

Telecommunications would be affected, as would the internet as mobile network operators would have no coverage. The country’s telecoms industry has  said it was considering this , even if chances of a collapse were “slim”.

The banking sector is also dependent on information and communication technology, or ICT. If people couldn’t access their money or make payments, this too could lead to civil unrest,  according to  South African thinktank the Institute of Security Studies.

A grid failure could also leave the country  without water . “Our water reserves would be severely impacted,”  said Hurford . South Africa’s infrastructure uses electricity to pump water through various structures until it reaches the consumer. Even a power failure at a pumping station could cause  water levels to drop , as they have in the past.

But Eskom says it has  guidelines for most municipalities  on what to do in the event of a grid failure to ensure that water would still be available. A total blackout would also affect fuel supplies, which would be expected to run out within days.

7. But what are the chances of a grid collapse?

Eskom rarely  misses an opportunity  to  remind consumers  that a grid collapse is unlikely. “Higher levels of load shedding do not mean that we are at a higher risk of a national blackout – we implement load shedding to ensure that we prevent a national blackout,” it has said.

In a  statement on 16 May , the power utility said it had measures in place to prevent a failure. “The risk of a national blackout, while inherent to the operation of a large power system, has an extremely low likelihood of materialising given the implementation of a number of control measures, including load shedding.”

Eskom has  insisted  there was “no chance” of a total national blackout because of the way it monitored the system. It has, however, admitted that the situation was possible, but that it would take “an unforeseen and sudden sequence of events that results in a cascading collapse of the transmission or generation system, leading to a complete loss of supply across the country”.

The utility  reportedly has  up to six barriers to prevent a grid collapse, ranging from equipment design and internal operating procedures to emergency response.

Essentially,  the utility said , many things would have to go wrong at the same time for the grid to collapse.

Speaking in parliament on 1 June, electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa  said : “A national blackout or grid collapse remains highly improbable as multiple safeguards are in place to ensure that it does not occur.”

The NRS chair Vally Padayachee  told the National Press Club on 21 June  that “a potential national grid collapse though technically is not impossible but it is virtually not probable at all”.

He explained how it would happen. “It’s caused by an unexpected and sudden event in the transmission network that cascades and eventually results in generators protecting themselves and separating from the network.

“When we get to the situation where the supply cannot meet the demand, the system automatically takes over and it would get into a blackout situation. There are a number of interventions for that which prevent that from happening.”

But the country had never had a total blackout in Eskom’s 100-year history, Padayachee said. Load shedding was one “excellent” intervention.

8. What would a re-start entail?

Power stations  use some of the electricity they generate  to run equipment such as conveyor belts that feed coal into furnaces.

In the event of a total grid failure, a  black start  would be required. A small diesel generator could be used to power up a larger one, and so on, until a plant is running again.

Eskom has  said  that while other countries can tap into a power system elsewhere, “unfortunately in South Africa, we have to rely on ourselves to start the system from scratch – energising one power plant at a time and one section of the country at a time”.

The power utility has black-start facilities, where its officials carry out dry runs in preparation for restoring power.

It  estimates  that it would take up to two weeks to restore power, although some experts  have said  it could be even longer if there were severe damage.

9. What is the cost of load shedding?

Businesses have seen a  reduction in production  and ultimately, profits, by being in the dark for hours on end. Some experts have put the cost of load shedding countrywide at  billions of rands per year . But estimates vary, depending on a number of factors.

In an  interview  with the news channel Newzroom Afrika in June, Ramokgopa said one stage of load shedding cost R300 billion. It’s not clear which period he was referring to.

The South African Reserve Bank uses the average stages and the number of days of power cuts to calculate the cost per stage of load shedding. This ranged from up to R1.2 million for stages one and two and from R204 million to R899 million for stages three to six,  it said . 

Financial services giant  Investec , on the other hand, has said the blackouts cost the economy  R300 billion in 2022 alone . 

An Eskom report from 2020  estimated  that load shedding cost the South African economy nearly R35 billion between 2007 and 2019.

In short, load shedding leads to less economic activity, fewer companies planning to expand and ultimately fewer jobs created, senior economist Geoff Nolting from the state-owned  Public Investment Corporation  told Africa Check.

10. What mitigation measures is the government taking?

In July 2022, Ramaphosa announced  a series of measures  in response to the energy crisis.

“South Africa has installed capacity to produce approximately 46,000MW of electricity, and at peak times we use about 32,000MW of electricity. However, only 60% of this installed capacity is available at any given time due to some units going through planned maintenance and others having unplanned outages,” he said.

To remedy this, a national energy crisis committee would be set up and Eskom would build its first solar and battery storage projects at several power stations. The utility’s budget for critical maintenance would also be increased, power imported from Botswana and Zambia, and power purchased from existing independent power producers.

Soon after, the crisis committee began implementing an  energy action plan . In  a six-month progress report  in January 2023, the committee said an additional 300MW had been imported from neighbouring countries.

The government also declared a  state of disaster  in February. This, it said, was to deal with the crisis in a less bureaucratic way, with extra resources and less oversight.

But  legal challenges  soon followed, with  civil rights organisations  and some  political parties   calling  the decision irrational. The state of energy disaster was  lifted  in April.

Ramaphosa has also created the post of and named an electricity minister – Kgosientsho Ramokgopa –  responsible for  “coordinating the government’s response to the electricity crisis as a national priority”.

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• Mar 16, 2023

How Does Load Shedding Affect Learners: The Impact On South African Education

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The Impact Of Load Shedding On Basic Education

5 tips for studying effectively during load shedding, the impact of load shedding on tertiary education, load shedding is also affecting personal growth.

According to the Basic Education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, regular load shedding has a negative impact on the basic education sector because electricity is required for teaching and learning, particularly in schools of specialization where equipment is required during class time.

Because of load shedding, students are unable to study adequately at home. "Even commuting to school is a problem. When traffic lights fail, it causes traffic jams, which can cause students to arrive late at school. It has a significant negative impact on education.

As much as there are alternative sources of power. The reality of some student is that they do not have these options due to financial reasons and most local schools do not have such resources.

Schools require electricity for administrative work that also includes data capturing in school system. The power cut are also causing delay in completing the school curriculum. There are topics that leaners need to complete and catch up on from home and are unable to due the the power cuts. Learners are affected by load shedding at home, which ultimately causes schools to fall behind on curriculum.

Many schools have to redirect their budgets, so that they may buy alternative source of power. There is a greater impact on matriculating leaners. (Those who are studying for their preliminary exams).

Teachers have tried many initiatives to bridge the impact of load shedding on students. For example, some schools provide learners with venues that have generators for when load shedding strikes, so that they may study after hours or during weekend.

Get a Load Shedding App.

You will be able to plan your studies around the load shedding schedule and prepare for power outages. For example, if you know you have an assignment due and stage 6 load shedding is in effect, you can go to a coffee shop with Wi-Fi to finish it without fear of losing power.

Use Beneficial Tools During Load Shedding

Using useful electronic devices is a surefire way to avoid load shedding and study effectively when there is no power. a Consider the following: Battery chargers: During a power outage, a good power bank will keep your smartphone and tablet charged. Lights that can be recharged: Rechargeable lights are an excellent way to keep the room illuminated while reviewing your notes before a big test or exam. External hard drives (HDDs): Make document loss a thing of the past by saving all of your important tasks, assignments, projects, and essays on an external hard drive.

Form A Study Group

If your budget is limited and you want to study effectively during load shedding, consider forming a study group with your fellow students or friends. A study group is an efficient way to plan ahead and study elsewhere while your load shedding schedule is in effect. Of course, you'll need to make sure your friend or classmate isn't on the same schedule as you or is experiencing load shedding at the same time. Having said that, having a study group is an effective way to combat lead shedding, and it also has several other advantages!

Print or write down your study notes

If you want to study during load shedding while saving money and avoiding the use of electronics, consider printing or writing out your study notes. Printing or writing out your study notes may seem archaic, but it's also an excellent way to save electricity. When printing or writing your study notes, avoid writing or printing your entire textbook. Instead, use this time to make study aids such as flashcards, mind maps, or summaries that you can use after load shedding is over.

Use Your Time Wisely

It may be uncomfortable to study during load-shedding or with a flashlight and candle. Use that time wisely and go over the work you've already done. This will allow you to easily memorize your work and study without feeling rushed.

Load shedding has had a significant impact on higher education and continues to have an impact on all university and college students.

Many students struggle to keep up with their academic workload during load shedding due to traffic jams and being forced to arrive late to class. Not only that, but load shedding has a direct impact on your ability to study.

Without electricity, for example, you may be forced to study by candlelight (which is bad for your eyesight) or forego studying due to a lack of resources.

Load shedding also has an impact on signal usage and Internet connectivity. Given the abundance of learning material available online, this makes accessing student portals, online lectures, and study aids difficult.

Deadline Driven

We all know how University is a "deadline driven industry" and sometimes the submission dates are midday (12pm) or midnight (12am) and yes you guessed it right! These are the times where we are most likely the have load shedding. Which has a direct impact on our networks because of connectivity issues due to load shedding.

We live in a future forward world where we have the power upgrade ourselves through technology. If you are a young adult professional looking forward to career advancement like doing short online courses. Load shedding and the connection issue can be a barrier.

In the beginning the impact of load shedding where over looked. If you are a young aspiring entrepreneur hoping to start your own business here are some of the negative impact load shedding has on businesses.

Productivity decline The inability of all businesses to produce goods and provide services is an obvious result of how load shedding affects them. When there is no electricity, productivity suffers, especially in businesses that do not have backup power systems.

Cost increases as a result of alternative energy sources To help mitigate the effects of load shedding, many small businesses turn to alternative power sources. This includes items such as generators, power banks, and solar panels. These additional power sources can be costly, as installation and maintenance are additional costs to the business, reducing profitability.

Concerns about security During power outages, businesses' security risks increase. Security alarms and cameras will not function unless they are powered by a backup source. Dial direct said it compared the number of burglaries and vehicle accidents when there was no load shedding to when there was load shedding from July 2019 to May 2022, and discovered that load shedding during the week resulted in a 3.2% increase in burglaries.

Electronics damage Power surges occur when power is deliberately turned on and off throughout the day. These can cause significant damage to a company's electrical and manufacturing equipment, as well as computers. Damaged electronics can prevent the business from operating. As a result, businesses are forced to obtain additional insurance to ensure that they are adequately covered in the event of damage to their electronics. Load shedding or blackouts are not insurable risks under an insurance contract, but insurers do cover damage to sensitive electronic items caused by power surges.

The impact caused by load shedding is deeper than what we think. You now understand how load shedding affected learners and the impact it has in South Africa. The impact it has on Basic Education and Tertiary education has been highlighted. Tips of how to effectively study in the dark have been provided. We also understand the impact it has on young adults and on personal growth. In a world of digital transformation it is always best to maximize your resources. Chat and Pay allows you to skip the long line and blackouts join our waitlist and be part of the hundreds of South Africans who cannot wait to get their hands on the app. Supercharge how you interact with your money and switch and save.

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Outrage: load shedding in South Africa

12 October 2022 By Stephanie Briers Outrage

Power outages caused by South Africa’s coal-fuelled energy supply have devastating consequences

L oad shedding – planned power outages by South Africa’s state-owned energy company Eskom – has come to shape everyday life. Although it began in 2007, in recent months South Africans have experienced the worst load shedding yet, being left in the dark for up to eight hours a day. Spending half of the waking day without power has major implications: meals need to be planned around the next power outage, food waste increases as refrigerators turn off, business owners sit with paid employees that cannot do their work, and major industries come to a halt.

Load shedding is a tale of ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure and corruption in coal-purchasing and power plant procurement, which has led Eskom into US$24 billion of debt. Power generated by Eskom comes mainly from coal-fired power stations that were built during apartheid with the economic boom in the ’60s and ’70s. With cheap and readily available coal from South African mines, power stations were built rapidly and produced some of the cheapest electricity in the world. But today, coal power is no longer cheap to produce and stations have a low-functioning capacity of around 60 per cent, high maintenance costs, and are pushed much harder than they should be; running the power stations almost non-stop to try to keep up with demand means that there is little time for upgrading and maintenance. In June 2022, three major units broke down causing a bout of nationwide power cuts.  

Investor confidence continues to be shaken as rolling power cuts increase. The country is already suffering economically, mainly due to the state capture by ousted ex-president Jacob Zuma, followed by Covid-19, which has impacted the global economy. Load shedding is putting the economy under further major strain; it is estimated that power outages cost the country US$1 million an hour.  

With a very cold winter and a major economic downturn, South Africans have had enough of Eskom’s load-shedding debacle. Increasingly, people are filling Eskom’s gaps, and realising that they do not need Eskom as much as they thought. Whereas a decade ago, South Africa would plummet into darkness neighbourhood by neighbourhood, today during power cuts, flickers of light and life glitter all around as people keep going despite the constant power disruptions. When the electricity is on, charging systems prepare mobile phones, laptops, lights and any other objects that have a battery to charge, for when the lights go off. Restaurants have individual back-up generators that they use as a selling point, advertising their presence next to the day’s specials. More solar installations have appeared on homes – at least of those who can afford them – and solar-powered lighting has been installed by NGOs in some self-built communities, enabling people to access basic services even when the power is out.  

Just as people are learning to cope with load shedding, so are major industries, many of which are now generating their own energy. The mining industry, which uses 30 per cent of Eskom’s power, is rolling out 73 solar and wind projects with a target of generating 5,100 MW daily, equating to the daily energy consumption of 170,000 households. On a smaller scale, the Shoprite Group, a major grocery chain, generates 12,300 MW from solar energy per year – enough to power 1,100 households for a year – though red tape and onerous review processes slow down project approvals.

The abundance of coal, and a long history of intense coal-mining – South Africa is the seventh largest coal producer globally – has made the transition to renewables challenging and the government’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 unrealistic. Eskom has not invested enough in renewable energy, even though South Africa has some of the best conditions for wind and solar power – only eight per cent of Eskom’s energy comes from wind and solar – and efforts to transition to renewables have been stopped by coal-power interest groups, debt and corruption.  

However, as the country’s energy emergency worsens and pressure to move to renewables increases globally, Eskom has been forced to loosen its coal- powered grip, and in late 2021 it opened up the market for private companies to bid to produce renewable energy and sell it back to them. The new focus of concern for Eskom will be the transmission and distribution of that energy, a project that CEO André de Ruyter has stated will cost billions.  

Generators are being used to overcome current disruptions (South Africa has the largest number of generators per capita in Africa), but the cost both financially and ecologically is huge. In the longer term, however, a widespread shift to people generating their own solar power is predicted; David Richard Walwyn, professor of technology management, believes that in five years South Africa will no longer need Eskom, which has seen a 21 per cent decrease in demand in the last year due to disconnecting non-paying customers and the Covid-19-related economic slowdown, but also, and more importantly, due to an increased use of self-generated solar power. These figures suggest that the population may be on the path to finally rendering the state-owned coal-powered energy giant redundant.

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Load Shedding in South Africa Is an Energy Crisis You Might Not Know About

Aug. 8 2023, Published 11:00 a.m. ET

If you've ever experienced a power outage or blackout following a rough storm , you probably know what it means to be without electricity for a while. However, while most power companies can fix short blackouts caused by natural disasters or turn to renewable energy as a better solution, those in an energy crisis aren't as fortunate.

An ongoing energy crisis in South Africa has led to load shedding across the country since 2003. Here's what you need to know about load shedding and why it's happening.

What is an energy crisis?

According to Conserve Energy Future , an energy crisis occurs when a limited supply of available energy resources impacts the economy.

South Africa's load shedding is one example, but another is the February 2022 natural gas price increase , which skyrocketed when Russia invaded Ukraine, per the International Energy Agency.

The best way to fix an energy crisis is widely regarded as turning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or steam. On a smaller scale, switching to swap lightbulbs with LED , using public transportation , and adjusting the heating settings on your home might impact your life. However, introducing sustainable elements on a large scale is the best solution to a better future.

What is load shedding in South Africa?

Load shedding refers to strategic blackouts in South Africa, where citizens are left without power between six to twelve hours a day. The load shedding process means turning off the electricity supply to ease pressure on a failing power grid.

The phenomenon has been an ongoing issue in South Africa for at least the past decade, from roughly 2003 towards the end of then-President Thabo Mbeki's second term, says Foreign Policy.

The South African national energy utility, Eskom, was established in 1923 under a grid system that has since struggled to meet generation capacity. According to Reuters , Eskom said in the 2022/2023 financial year, it could only supply half of the power the country needs.

Warnings about load shedding were first published by a government report in 1998, predicting that if South Africa didn't start building new power plants, they would experience blackouts in 2007.

Although residents are pre-warned before the power goes out, the lack of electricity is a problem that impacts everyone living in South Africa.

Unfortunately, the energy crisis has only worsened in the past decade. In February 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the worsening situation was a " state of disaster ," per Al Jazeera , and has subsequently created two ministry departments (the Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry with Specific Responsibility for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation) to try and fix the issues, reports DW.

In March 2023, Vice News spoke with residents who say that the load shedding impacts the economy and the ability of working citizens to do their jobs. One paramedic spoke to the outlet and explained that he frequently has to work in towns with decreased or limited lighting, making it dangerous to respond to his typical job requirements like car accidents, critically ill patients, or shootings.

A report by Crisis 24 stated that as of June 2023, load shedding would occur regularly through the end of the year. The report states that Eskom continues "to maintain and repair infrastructure" but that unforeseen circumstances such as "unplanned unit breakdowns, criminal sabotage, and corruption" prevent the problem from being solved anytime soon.

@robynne_gouws Tell me you live in SA 🇿🇦 without telling me you live in SA. #loadshedding #humour #southafricatiktok ♬ Breaking Free - Troy & Gabriella & Disney

It is currently unclear how or when the South Africa load shedding will end. Hopefully, soon there will be a solution that incorporates sustainable energy for a better tomorrow.

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Load-shedding disrupts recovery in South Africa truck and bus assembly

At a time when transportation is expected to shift to electric drivetrains and commercial vehicle OEMs scale back investment in combustion engines, these electric vehicles pose a huge challenge to South Africa, which has an unreliable power supply. The current power constraints lead to reduced output of medium and heavy commercial vehicles in 2022.

Since 2007, South Africa is suffering from a higher power demand than supply. Power cuts have been the result. Eskom, the state-owned firm which supplies more than 90% of South Africa's electricity, then came up with the term, load-shedding, for the power cuts. In the past years, load-shedding increased from 21 days in 2019 to a record 48 days in 2021. January to August 2022 already exceeded this number. The latest analysis on the topic forecasts power cuts to continue throughout the decade. More than 90% of South Africa's energy is produced by coal, about 6% by nuclear power and the build-up of alternatives is very slow.

The global developments in electric trucks and buses are also seen in South Africa and the country needs to be integrated into the global value chains for these vehicles. This was why the South African government drafted in 2021 a government Policy Discussion Paper, on the 'Advancement of New Energy Vehicles in South Africa', which dealt with this specific agenda.

South Africa's path to production of new electric vehicles needs to be considered within the context of the significant impact of on-going load-shedding. The constrained power grid on electricity generation and ensuing power interruptions are catastrophic especially for the industry. The automotive logistic value chain has already been affected, leading to partial production stoppages in truck and bus manufacturing. This could cause a major barrier to future investment in assembly facilities in South Africa.

Apart from global supply chain disruption and fuel price hikes, load-shedding has become the biggest challenge to the medium and heavy commercial vehicles in the country. It is now expected to disrupt and negatively impact the truck and bus assembly recovery. S&P Global Moblity (formerly IHS Markit | Automotive) has reduced its outlook for the truck and bus industry that is expected now to assemble less than 20,000 units in 2022, a decline of nearly 1,000 units compared to the prior year.

The South African government already has plans of progressively increasing the carbon tax rate and is expected to reach at least $30 per tonne by 2030. This demands that OEMs develop plans that gradually reduce their emissions; by investing in carbon-neutral assembly facilities and phase out the internal combustion engine. The switch to electric vehicles can only be successful if the power constraints are solved and the charging infrastructure is built up, since most long-distance land freight in South Africa is transported by road.

Menzi Nkonyane, Sr Research Analyst - Truck & Bus Research, Middle East/Africa

Posted 21 September 2022 by Menzi Nkonyane , Senior Research Analyst, Automotive Insights, S&P Global Mobility

This article was published by S&P Global Mobility and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.

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