Latest news with #loadshedding
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'It's a lifesaver': Making solar power affordable in South Africa
South African Mark Moodley believes that installing a domestic solar power system has helped keep his 81-year-old mother alive. She spent three weeks in intensive care last year, and now back at home in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, she needs an oxygen concentrator to help her breathe. But the country's erratic electricity supply meant could not be relied on. "There were days we'd be without power for six hours. I had to use a car battery to run her oxygen tank, but that didn't last long and you'd have to sit with her with her arms raised to try and get oxygen into her lungs," Mr Moodley tells the BBC. "Sometimes we had to rush her to hospital when that didn't work. It was scary." Back then, doctors told the family she might not have long to live. But a steady power supply has given them more time together. "It's been a lifesaver. I don't have to check on her constantly through the night. I know her oxygen tank has power no matter what," he says, voice trembling. Despite recent improvements in South Africa's power grid, there are still outages. Having a steady electricity supply has become a privilege in the country, which has endured nearly 15 years of "load-shedding" - scheduled nationwide blackouts introduced to ease pressure on the fragile infrastructure. As well as endangering some lives, the crisis has damaged economic growth and contributed to job losses. South Africa is heavily reliant on highly polluting coal for its power - it accounts for around 80% of all electricity generated. But in recent years it has loosened restrictions on small-scale solar generation and created tax incentives for installation. The country is also looking for more investment in renewable energy in order to aid the switch from coal. Domestically, those with financial means have gradually taken their homes and businesses off-grid, investing in solar power systems that require an initial outlay of $14,000- $19,600 (£10,400-£14,500). That price tag means that this option is far out of the reach of most South Africans. Those scraping by cannot take advantage of the country's sunshine and invest in clean, reliable energy. But Mr Moodley was able to turn to a pay-as-you-go scheme that has kept the lights on and the medical equipment working. His electricity bill has dropped by $80 a week - savings he hopes to use to expand what he has and eventually go completely off-grid. The system he uses comes from Wetility, a local start-up founded in 2019 For domestic users, the most basic package costs $60 a month - and crucially no prohibitive up-front payment - making solar power more accessible. The company says it identified a gap in the market - affordable solar solutions tailored to small businesses and low-income households. "South Africa has traditionally had high electricity access - but access means nothing if the power isn't reliable or affordable," says Vincent Maposa, the company's founder and a former energy analyst. "We had to develop products that are both fit-for-purpose and financially accessible." While solar power is not new in South Africa, Wetility's business model includes a mobile-phone style monthly payment plan, allowing customers to spread out the cost. For years, load-shedding has been used as a last-ditch attempt to keep the national grid from total collapse, following decades of mismanagement at state utility Eskom. While blackouts have eased for some urban centres, poorer communities and business people continue to suffer forced cuts as aging infrastructure struggles to meet the growing demand. For some in the townships worries about theft and practicality have also deterred people from getting solar equipment, but Wetility has also designed lightweight, flexible panels that can be fitted on the fragile rooftops common in many of these areas. "We came up with a thin-film panel that sticks onto the roof. If someone tries to peel it off, it tears and becomes valueless. That was important for areas where theft is a concern," says Mr Maposa. "In terms of efficiency, they perform about as well as traditional panels." The energy unit, including an inverter, which converts the power generated by the panels into useable electricity, and a battery that works when the sun is not shining, is secured in a large steel box weighing about 300kg that bolts onto a wall. The team says this reduces the risk of theft and avoids drawing attention in high-crime areas. Shopkeeper Julius Koobetseng recently made the switch to solar that may have saved his small grocery store. In a grey beanie hat and thick blue jacket to ward off the cold in the southern Hemisphere winter, he stacks cans of drink in a brightly lit fridge remembering how the frequent power cuts nearly wrecked his livelihood. "Meat would go off, dairy would spoil. Sometimes we'd be without power for four days," the 43-year-old says. But since March, his shop in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, has been using the pay-as-you-go solar power system to keep the lights and fridges on. Some small business owners have turned to back-up diesel generators but Mr Koobetseng, who has had his shop for the past 13 years, was drawn to the more environmentally friendly option. "Power cuts have badly affected small businesses. I know many in this area that had to shut down because they couldn't keep up with the uncertainty," he says. "We live month-to-month, depending on what the business brings in. If you can't guarantee power, how do you even plan for the future?" Now he does not worry when the power goes out which has been "a huge relief". It costs his business $250 a month but Mr Koobetseng's business has picked up thanks to the reliable power. "People know my shop stays open even when the power's out. Some just come to charge their appliances, but while they're here, they buy things too," he says with a smile. For him, the benefit is not about lowering his electricity bills. It is the consistency. "Solar gave me back control. I can plan my day knowing I'll have power." You may also be interested in: Joy and relief as South Africa manages to keep its lights on The roots of Eskom's power problem No power, no pinot - power cuts hit vineyards Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
South Africa solar power: Pay-as-you-go system helps save lives
South African Mark Moodley believes that installing a domestic solar power system has helped keep his 81-year-old mother spent three weeks in intensive care last year, and now back at home in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, she needs an oxygen concentrator to help her the country's erratic electricity supply meant could not be relied on."There were days we'd be without power for six hours. I had to use a car battery to run her oxygen tank, but that didn't last long and you'd have to sit with her with her arms raised to try and get oxygen into her lungs," Mr Moodley tells the BBC."Sometimes we had to rush her to hospital when that didn't work. It was scary." Back then, doctors told the family she might not have long to live. But a steady power supply has given them more time together."It's been a lifesaver. I don't have to check on her constantly through the night. I know her oxygen tank has power no matter what," he says, voice recent improvements in South Africa's power grid, there are still a steady electricity supply has become a privilege in the country, which has endured nearly 15 years of "load-shedding" - scheduled nationwide blackouts introduced to ease pressure on the fragile well as endangering some lives, the crisis has damaged economic growth and contributed to job Africa is heavily reliant on highly polluting coal for its power - it accounts for around 80% of all electricity generated. But in recent years it has loosened restrictions on small-scale solar generation and created tax incentives for country is also looking for more investment in renewable energy in order to aid the switch from those with financial means have gradually taken their homes and businesses off-grid, investing in solar power systems that require an initial outlay of $14,000- $19,600 (£10,400-£14,500). That price tag means that this option is far out of the reach of most South Africans. Those scraping by cannot take advantage of the country's sunshine and invest in clean, reliable Mr Moodley was able to turn to a pay-as-you-go scheme that has kept the lights on and the medical equipment electricity bill has dropped by $80 a week - savings he hopes to use to expand what he has and eventually go completely system he uses comes from Wetility, a local start-up founded in 2019For domestic users, the most basic package costs $60 a month - and crucially no prohibitive up-front payment - making solar power more company says it identified a gap in the market - affordable solar solutions tailored to small businesses and low-income households."South Africa has traditionally had high electricity access - but access means nothing if the power isn't reliable or affordable," says Vincent Maposa, the company's founder and a former energy analyst."We had to develop products that are both fit-for-purpose and financially accessible."While solar power is not new in South Africa, Wetility's business model includes a mobile-phone style monthly payment plan, allowing customers to spread out the cost. For years, load-shedding has been used as a last-ditch attempt to keep the national grid from total collapse, following decades of mismanagement at state utility blackouts have eased for some urban centres, poorer communities and business people continue to suffer forced cuts as aging infrastructure struggles to meet the growing some in the townships worries about theft and practicality have also deterred people from getting solar equipment, but Wetility has also designed lightweight, flexible panels that can be fitted on the fragile rooftops common in many of these areas."We came up with a thin-film panel that sticks onto the roof. If someone tries to peel it off, it tears and becomes valueless. That was important for areas where theft is a concern," says Mr Maposa."In terms of efficiency, they perform about as well as traditional panels."The energy unit, including an inverter, which converts the power generated by the panels into useable electricity, and a battery that works when the sun is not shining, is secured in a large steel box weighing about 300kg that bolts onto a team says this reduces the risk of theft and avoids drawing attention in high-crime areas. Shopkeeper Julius Koobetseng recently made the switch to solar that may have saved his small grocery a grey beanie hat and thick blue jacket to ward off the cold in the southern Hemisphere winter, he stacks cans of drink in a brightly lit fridge remembering how the frequent power cuts nearly wrecked his livelihood."Meat would go off, dairy would spoil. Sometimes we'd be without power for four days," the 43-year-old since March, his shop in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, has been using the pay-as-you-go solar power system to keep the lights and fridges small business owners have turned to back-up diesel generators but Mr Koobetseng, who has had his shop for the past 13 years, was drawn to the more environmentally friendly option."Power cuts have badly affected small businesses. I know many in this area that had to shut down because they couldn't keep up with the uncertainty," he says."We live month-to-month, depending on what the business brings in. If you can't guarantee power, how do you even plan for the future?"Now he does not worry when the power goes out which has been "a huge relief".It costs his business $250 a month but Mr Koobetseng's business has picked up thanks to the reliable power."People know my shop stays open even when the power's out. Some just come to charge their appliances, but while they're here, they buy things too," he says with a him, the benefit is not about lowering his electricity bills. It is the consistency."Solar gave me back control. I can plan my day knowing I'll have power." You may also be interested in: Joy and relief as South Africa manages to keep its lights onThe roots of Eskom's power problemNo power, no pinot - power cuts hit vineyards Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
News24
21-07-2025
- Business
- News24
Ramaphosa rebukes ‘privatisation' critics, lauds Operation Vulindlela's triumph over red tape
President Cyril Ramaphosa defended Operation Vulindlela, countering opposition criticism, in his weekly newsletter. Ramaphosa highlighted progress in reducing load shedding, telecom costs, visa systems and rail reform through the initiative. Phase two of Operation Vulindlela began in April 2025, focusing on infrastructure investments and municipal service improvements to boost economic growth. President Cyril Ramaphosa has rebuked 'some opposition parties' that have labelled Operation Vulindlela a form of 'privatisation', describing the criticism as 'baseless and misguided'. Ramaphosa took to his weekly newsletter to defend Operation Vulindlela. In it, he also claimed, with no tangible evidence, that reforms in the telecommunications sector had brought down the cost of mobile data. The president was responding to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party's (MKP) Siyabonga Gama's statement in Parliament, that South Africa was 'being restructured sector by sector, policy by policy and budget by budget, into a state that is administered by private design'. 'That design is being implemented under the name of Operation Vulindlela, enforced through Vote 1 (The Presidency), and shielded by a wall of plausible deniability funded through careful communications, legal teams and strategic advisors who operate above scrutiny,' Gama said during the Presidency budget vote debate last week. Gama said Operation Vulindlela was essentially 'executive defiance of constitutional accountability'. READ | Ramaphosa defends police inquiry in heated budget debate Operation Vulindlela was established in the Sixth Administration and aimed at removing bottlenecks hindering the economy's growth by tackling load shedding, inefficient rail and ports, high data costs, and a visa system that deterred investors and tourists. On Monday, Ramaphosa wrote: 'We have made significant progress since then in clearing these obstacles with a clear view to enhance economic growth. The reduction in load shedding over the past year was supported by the reforms that we introduced to unlock private investment in electricity generation, while reforms in the telecommunications sector have brought down the cost of mobile data. 'We have reduced the turnaround times for approval processes for water use licences and energy projects, made great progress in clearing the visa application backlog, and expanding the eVisa scheme,' Ramaphosa said. He said the next phase of Operation Vulindlela which commenced in April 2025, was building on the successes and would initiate a second wave of reform. He continued: We are moving quickly towards a competitive electricity market, which will introduce greater competition in electricity generation and reduce the chances of experiencing load shedding again. 'The reform under way in the energy sector will introduce greater choice for consumers and drive down costs. As part of this process, work is under way to establish an independent Transmission System Operator within the next five years, in line with the Electricity Regulation Act,' Ramaphosa wrote. He added that significant progress had also been made towards enabling greater investment in the country's transmission network, including from the private sector, with regulations to govern these investments. 'In April, the Rail Infrastructure Manager was established as a separate operating division of Transnet with its own management and reporting structure. It has made capacity available across the freight rail network to private train operating companies and has received 98 requests for access to date. A revised Network Statement will soon be published and capacity allocated in response to these requests, marking the start of open competition in freight rail,' Ramaphosa said. On visa reform, he said the visa system was making it much easier for people to visit South Africa and bring much-needed skills and investment while enhancing border security through the Border Management Authority (BMA), which he emphasised was established in the Sixth Administration as part of the reform process. 'An Electronic Travel Authorisation system has been developed by the Department of Home Affairs and is being prepared to go live in September 2025. As part of Operation Vulindlela Phase II, we are also reforming the local government system to ensure that basic services such as water and electricity, which are essential for economic growth, are delivered efficiently and reliably.' Ramaphosa claimed: Additionally, several metros have submitted plans for the turnaround of their water and electricity utilities that outline a clear pathway for the ring-fencing of water and electricity services. 'Progress against these action plans will enable these municipalities to access a new performance-based incentive from National Treasury to drive much greater investment in water and electricity infrastructure. 'All of these reforms are designed to boost economic growth and create jobs for South Africans. The claims by some opposition parties that these reforms represent a form of privatisation are baseless and misguided. 'The measures we are taking are common sense reforms that will preserve public ownership of key infrastructure while introducing greater competition, dynamism and investment. A number of our peer countries introduced similar reforms, which have powered their economies to higher levels of growth,' Ramaphosa argued.
The Herald
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Possible stage 2 load-shedding if breakdowns spike in winter: Eskom
While South Africans continue to enjoy a welcome reprieve from load-shedding, Eskom has warned the suspension could quickly be reversed if unplanned breakdowns rise above 13,000MW. According to the power utility, its winter outlook published on May 5 stated no load-shedding is expected as long as breakdowns remain under the threshold. However, it said if unplanned outages increase to 15,000MW, the country could face up to 21 days of stage 2 load-shedding during winter. 'As of June 26, unplanned outages totalled 15,137MW, which includes 800MW from Medupi unit 4. With this level of breakdowns, we are operating above our base-case scenario — and this could result in rotational power cuts if the situation worsens,' said Eskom. Despite the high level of breakdowns, Eskom reported the generation system remains stable, with an available capacity of 30,703MW excluding Kusile unit 6, which has been contributing 720MW to the grid since March though it has not yet entered commercial operation. 'With the combined capacity Eskom is well-positioned to meet tonight's anticipated peak demand of 28,810MW,' said the utility. Unplanned outages have averaged 14,696MW from June 20 to 26, up by 2,815MW compared to the same time last year.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Empowering solutions for South Africa's energy future
Electricity Expo Africa 2025 ( is set to convene South Africa's leading minds and innovators in the energy sector, offering a critical platform for tangible solutions to the nation's power crisis. Taking place from 19 to 21 August 2025 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, this inaugural event arrives at a pivotal moment as the country grapples with persistent energy instability. Themed 'Empowering Solutions for South Africa's Energy Future', the Expo will address national grid constraints, accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, promote off-grid innovation, mitigate load shedding, and modernise infrastructure and regulation. Organised by the Electrical Contractors Association (SA) and the South African Electrical Workers Association (SAEWA) and proudly endorsed by the National Bargaining Council for the Electrical Industry, Electricity Expo Africa 2025 ( is a focused space for stakeholders committed to real-world impact. "Electricity is the engine of development. This Expo is more than just an industry gathering – it's a national imperative, a call to action for every stakeholder invested in South Africa's future," said Jimmy Turner, Chairperson of Electricity Expo Africa. "We are uniting solution-providers, policymakers, and communities to collectively transform South Africa's energy landscape from one of scarcity to one of reliability and abundance." Three Pillars of Focus 1. Confronting the National Grid Crisis South Africa's ageing grid requires urgent intervention. At the heart of the Expo is a drive to modernise infrastructure through automation, smart diagnostics, and maintenance innovations. By gathering grid experts and transmission specialists, the event will foster knowledge exchange on how to prevent failures and accelerate national upgrade projects. This effort supports the National Energy Action Plan, which aims to restore Eskom's reliability and accelerate the development of new power capacity. "Ending load shedding requires more than just talk; it demands real tools, smart systems, and urgent implementation of practical solutions," emphasised Turner. "This Expo will present actionable answers – from cutting-edge grid technologies that bolster resilience to policy reforms that streamline infrastructure development. It's about turning challenges into opportunities for growth." 2. Accelerating Renewable and Off-Grid Solutions South Africa's energy future depends on a diversified generation mix. With the rapid rise of solar adoption – from 2,300 MW in 2022 to over 5,400 MW by early 2024 – the Expo will highlight solar PV, wind, and battery storage technologies that enable homes, businesses, and municipalities to generate electricity independently and reduce their reliance on the national grid. Over 130 IPP projects, totalling roughly 22,500 MW, are also in the pipeline. At the Expo, both large-scale and decentralised innovations will be on display, including off-grid and mini-grid solutions for rural and high-risk areas. Attendees will engage directly with tech developers and solution providers, demonstrating the tools needed to power communities and commercial hubs even in the absence of national supply. 3. Innovation in Policy, Infrastructure, and Regulation The recent Electricity Regulation Amendment Act marks a new era for South Africa's electricity sector, introducing reforms such as an independent transmission system operator and a competitive power market. But policy must match pace with technology. Electricity Expo Africa 2025 ( will feature high-level discussions with government, regulators, and industry leaders. Topics include streamlining licences for renewables, energy storage incentives, updated grid codes, and infrastructure financing – crucial considering the estimated R390 billion needed for national grid expansion. "We are not just showcasing innovation; we are driving a national movement towards a resilient, inclusive electricity system," added Turner. "Electricity Expo Africa 2025 is where solutions become action, fostering the collaboration between government, industry, and civil society that is essential for a truly sustainable energy future." Who Needs to Be There Electricity Expo Africa 2025 will host over 150 exhibitors and more than 60 expert speakers, creating a platform for high-impact visibility and engagement. Key participants will include: Policymakers and Energy Officials – Sharing reforms and strategic plans. Municipal Utility Leaders – Highlighting local innovation and micro-grids. Renewable Energy Innovators – Showcasing new generation technologies. Grid Technology and Storage Providers – Presenting advanced smart-grid systems. Financing and Infrastructure Partners – Exploring capital mobilisation and PPPs. Community Energy Access Organisations – Championing equitable power access. This expansive programme creates a rare opportunity for businesses to place their innovations at the centre of national dialogue and development. Turner underscores the dual opportunity for exhibitors: "Exhibiting at Electricity Expo Africa 2025 is more than a marketing opportunity – it's a chance to fuel your company's growth and help power South Africa's energy transformation. We encourage businesses large and small to showcase their innovations at the Expo, where they can build valuable relationships and play a role in securing the nation's energy future." Event details: Dates: 19–21 August 2025 Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec Website: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Electricity Expo Africa (EEA). Issued By: The Lime Envelope On Behalf Of: Electricity Expo Africa For Media Information: Kerry Oliver Telephone: 082 927 9470 E-mail: kerry@
