Load Shedding Plan Review Set for July 22 – Stage 6 to Be Extended Through August

Load Shedding Plan – South Africa’s long-standing energy crisis has taken a deeper turn as the National Energy Committee prepares for a crucial Load Shedding Plan Review on July 22. With continued pressure on Eskom’s aging infrastructure and rising winter energy demands, the government has already signaled a possible extension of Stage 6 load shedding until the end of August 2025. This announcement has triggered concern among households and businesses alike. Power cuts have increasingly disrupted daily life, hampered productivity, and strained the economy. Citizens are bracing for longer hours without electricity as Eskom struggles to balance supply and demand. Eskom has confirmed that despite their best efforts, multiple units at key power stations are offline due to maintenance and unplanned breakdowns. These challenges, combined with a spike in winter usage, have made it nearly impossible to ease the frequency of outages. In fact, Stage 7 is under consideration if the situation deteriorates further. The July 22 Load Shedding Review will be critical. The Energy Committee will analyze infrastructure status, fuel reserves, and power generation capacity before deciding whether stricter stages must be activated or if Stage 6 should continue. Let’s break down the full impact of this extension, what citizens should expect, and what preparations can be made to minimize disruption.

Table of Contents

Timeline and Impact of Stage 6 Load Shedding Plan Extension

As the deadline for the Load Shedding Plan Review nears, South Africans must be aware of what Stage 6 means in practical terms and how long it could last.

Key Timeline and Eskom’s Statement

What is Stage 6 Load Shedding Plan?

Stage 6 means up to 6,000 MW of power is cut from the grid, resulting in scheduled power outages across the country multiple times a day.

Province	Power Cut Frequency	Duration per Cut	Total Daily Outage
Gauteng	3 times	2 hours	6 hours
Western Cape	3-4 times	2.5 hours	7-8 hours
KwaZulu-Natal	2-3 times	3 hours	6-9 hours
Eastern Cape	3 times	2 hours	6 hours
Limpopo	3 times	2 hours	6 hours
Free State	2 times	3 hours	6 hours
North West	2-3 times	2 hours	4-6 hours
Mpumalanga	3 times	2 hours	6 hours

Reasons Behind Prolonged Stage 6 Load Shedding Plan

The energy crisis has worsened due to a combination of technical, financial, and seasonal factors.

Eskom’s power plants are operating at less than 50% reliability.
Diesel reserves for peaking plants are running low, and costs are unsustainable.
Winter demand has surged to over 34,000 MW, exceeding available capacity.
Grid sabotage and copper cable theft continue to destabilize certain lines.
Several plants are overdue for critical maintenance, yet parts are delayed.

Economic and Social Impact of Prolonged Load Shedding Plan

The load shedding extension is more than an inconvenience. It’s a serious blow to economic activity, job creation, and household wellbeing.

Sectors Worst Hit by Load Shedding

Sector	Impacted Activity	Estimated Loss (Daily)
Manufacturing	Machinery halt, wastage	R1.2 billion
Retail	POS outages, cold storage	R800 million
Education	Online class disruptions	Learning hours lost
Healthcare	ICU/equipment downtime	Risk to patient care
Agriculture	Irrigation/fertilizer delays	Crop damage
SMEs	Delivery & online sales cut	40% sales drop

Impact on Households and Daily Life

Households are dealing with disrupted routines, loss of stored food, and limited access to digital services. Low-income families are particularly vulnerable.

Candle and generator expenses are up by 60%.
Online learning and work-from-home setups are ineffective.
Home security systems are failing during power cuts.

Public Sentiment and Protests

The extension of Stage 6 has led to growing public anger. Citizen forums, small business associations, and civil rights groups are demanding accountability and faster solutions.

Over 10,000 complaints submitted to NERSA since June 15.
Protest marches planned in Gauteng and Cape Town from July 20.
Calls for Eskom’s CEO resignation trending across social media.

Government and Eskom’s Proposed Solutions

While citizens suffer through blackouts, the government and Eskom have presented several short-term and long-term plans.

Immediate Emergency Measures

Measure	Status	Expected Relief Time
Additional diesel imports	Approved	Late July
Renewables fast-tracking	In process	Aug-Sept
Private sector supply deals	8 signed, 12 pending	Within 6 weeks
Load reduction plans	Active in metros	Immediate
Repair teams from China	Arrived July 1	Targeting 5 plants

Long-Term Structural Changes

The following reforms are underway to prevent future stages from escalating:

How Citizens Can Prepare for Extended Stage 6

Until major changes take effect, citizens must plan proactively to reduce the impact of continued Stage 6 cuts.

Top 7 Preparation Tips

Preparation Tip	Description
Install Inverter or UPS	Keep essential devices running
Use Gas for Cooking	Reduce dependency on electric stoves
Solar Chargers for Phones	Keep communication uninterrupted
Freeze Ice Packs	Preserve food during longer outages
Schedule Tasks Around Loadshedding	Use load shedding apps for planning
Secure Home Security Backups	Ensure CCTV/alarms have independent power
Join Local Energy Co-ops	Explore community-based solutions

Tools and Resources for Load Shedding Schedules

EskomSePush App – Accurate, real-time updates for your area
City Power websites – Local updates for Johannesburg, Tshwane, etc.
WhatsApp Alert Bots – Setup to notify you before your zone goes offline

Risks of Power Surge Damage Post-Cuts

Many users report appliance burnout when power returns suddenly. Protect your electronics using:

Surge protectors
Smart plugs with timers
Manual switch-off before power resumes

Load Shedding Plan Review – What to Expect on July 22

The upcoming review will shape the nation’s electricity reality for the next month or more.

Key Discussion Points at Review Meeting

Agenda Item	Purpose
Status of Repair Projects	Whether offline units can be revived
Diesel and Fuel Stock Evaluation	Gauge capacity for peaking supply
Renewable Output Projections	Assess wind/solar contribution
Demand Forecasting vs Supply Reality	Align winter demands with availability
Private Supplier Readiness	Can IPPs supply the gap?
Public Impact Reports	Feedback from public and businesses

What Happens After the Review?

Announcement likely by July 23 evening
Load shedding stage may increase, stay, or downgrade
New schedules to be issued July 24 onward
Emergency procurement or budget reallocation possible

Despite growing frustration, Eskom and the government insist that extending Stage 6 is the only viable option to avoid total grid collapse. Citizens are advised to use this time to plan, protect appliances, and adjust routines. The July 22 Load Shedding Plan Review will offer further clarity—but until then, preparation and patience remain essential.

FAQs of Load Shedding Plan

Q1: What is the difference between Stage 6 and Stage 7?
A: Stage 6 sheds up to 6,000 MW from the grid; Stage 7 would shed 7,000 MW, increasing outage hours and frequency.

Q2: Is there a chance load shedding will stop before August?
A: Highly unlikely unless several key plants return online early or private IPPs add major capacity quickly.

Q3: Can households apply for exemptions?
A: No general exemptions exist. However, essential medical devices may be prioritized in certain municipalities.

Q4: Is Eskom planning more tariff hikes?
A: NERSA has already approved a tariff hike for mid-2025. Additional hikes are under consideration.

Q5: Can solar energy help avoid load shedding at home?
A: Yes, off-grid or hybrid solar systems can maintain power during outages, though initial setup costs are high.