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Mail & Guardian

Load Shedding

latest news & developments
Load-shedding is unlikely through the winter.

No load-shedding in sight as Eskom forecasts stable winter supply

Eskom says South Africa is unlikely to experience load-shedding between April and August, citing improved plant performance, fewer breakdowns and reduced diesel use

The electricity that was generated in March this year decreased more than 5% compared to March 2022

Eskom profits rise again but tariff hikes remain the real story

The national power utility is heading for a second year of profits but experts say tariff hikes and state bailouts remain central to its financial recovery

After more than a century of monopoly control under Eskom, South Africa is shifting towards a competitive multi-market electricity system, (Eskom)

From monopoly to market: Inside South Africa’s next phase of electricity reform

New report warns electricity reform hinges on execution, not policy

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the state of the nation address.  (GCIS)

In Sona, Ramaphosa signals shift from crisis management to consolidation

For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address

In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the president once again committed to economic revitalization. Photo: GCIS

Ramaphosa talks tough on gangs, corruption

The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa

Kgosientsho Ramokgopa: Electricity and Energy

SCORE: B+ A remarkable milestone under Ramokgopa’s leadership is an impressive and sustained electricity supply record, with over 196 consecutive days without loadshedding for…

The Darling Wind Farm in the Western Cape. Alternative sources of energy is increasingly being used. Photo: David Harrison

Why partnerships will power South African green energy transition

South Africa was forced into the energy transition by the electricity crisis, sparking a wave of private investment in renewables

Saving supplies: Patrick Bam, an executive member of the SalTuba Cooperative, said being able to generate their own electricity has helped the community to avoid food loss and damages to appliances. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee

People who own the sun

There is no official registry of socially owned renewable energy projects in South Africa, but research has identified more than 20 operating initiatives across the country

South Africa’s digital economy is being undermined by local beneficiation for copper, which has become an essential mineral in the age of artificial intelligence — from data centres, electricity cables and battery storage. (Flickr)

Copper will determine South Africa’s digital economy success

The economy is expected to create a jobs boom if the country can fix its electricity grid and meet the increasing demand for local copper beneficiation

Preparing the workforce for a just energy transition requires a fundamental rethink of how education and training are approached. Photo: Dwayne Senior/Getty Images

The skills needed for a just energy transition can’t be an afterthought

The change must not merely happen to people — it must involve them, which means rethinking our approach to education and training

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers the 2025 Budget. Photo: Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images

Godongwana keeps medium-term infrastructure spending above R1tn to boost ailing economy

The finance minister said the expenditure would be carried out ‘without compromising the fiscal strategy of sustainable public finances’

Grave concern: President Cyril Ramaphosa (above) regards allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu as requiring ‘the highest-priority attention’.

Faster reforms will spur faster growth: Ramaphosa

The president and the national treasury launched phase two of Operation Vulindlela on Wednesday, expanding its focus areas

(Dean Hutton/Bloomberg via Getty Image

South Africa’s energy future lies in innovation

Consumers responded to load-shedding by installing solar energy. In response, Eskom chose higher tariffs instead of encouraging the move to clean energy

Minister Dion George. (Photo: Environmentza/X)

George eases pollution limits for Eskom – with conditions

The ruling is not an ‘endorsement of indefinite non-compliance’, says minister of forestry, fisheries and environment

Graphic: John McCann

South Africa needs to learn from disasters

A re-think of how we live, relate to other sentient beings and consume will allow us to ‘learn, unlearn and relearn’ to convert disasters into strengths