Amidst deepening concerns around the implementation of load reduction measures by City Power, given the increased electricity usage during the winter months, the threat of a grid collapse remains a possibility, according to City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena.

Although City Power has implored consumers to reduce their electricity consumption, the reality is, as the winter cold bites, this is often simply not possible.

As if this were not enough, South African consumers are additionally facing a dire cost-of-living crisis since Eskom are seeking an additional 36% tariff increase for 2025.  This means, that customers that receive their power supply via municipalities will potentially see an increase of 43.5% on already exorbitant electricity costs.

The bottom line is that homeowners could ultimately be forking out a whopping 60% more on their electricity bill this winter – thanks to increased winter tariffs, the proposed Eskom electricity tariffs for 2024/2025, and a sharp rise in energy usage during the chilly months.

These sharp price increases, and the looming instability of the grid may help explain why so many South Africans are now making the switch to solar. According to Eskom’s Generation Adequacy Report, rooftop PV output has more than doubled in less than two years – a trend that Rein Snoeck Henkemans, Managing Director of Alumo Energy, is predicting will continue as families seek to escape the grip of persistent load-shedding and fast