section_path: Infrastructure/Energy/Energy crisis
section_name: Energy crisis
paragraph_text: Energy crisis
  
  Due to severe mismanagement and corruption at Eskom, the company is R392bn ($22bn) in debt and is unable to meet the demands of the South African power grid. Due to this, Eskom implemented loadshedding for the first time in 2007, which is periodically switching off electricity to specific power grids in specific time frames. This was done to prevent a failure of the entire system when the demand for electricity strains the capacity of Eskom's power generating system. Load shedding is characterized by periods of widespread national-level rolling blackouts. Crime such as theft, and sabotage at Eskom power stations had also been a significant issue contributing to South Africa's energy crisis.
  
  The government and Eskom have made significant strides toward resolving the issues that have plagued the power system for years. Key to this progress has been a focus on improving maintenance of its coal-fired power plants, reducing frequent breakdowns that caused widespread load shedding. In addition, there has been a noticeable increase in the contribution of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, from independent power producers (IPPs), which has helped diversify South Africa's energy mix and reduce reliance on coal.
  
  In addition, energy supply has stabilized, with no (planned power cuts) since late March 2024. Prior to this, electricity supply shortages had constrained South Africa's growth for several years. The cumulated duration of the outages due to rotational load shedding, each of which lasted 2 to 4 hours, was equivalent to 289 days in 2023, up from 157 in 2022 and 48 in 2021. This severe electricity shortfall disrupted economic activity and increased operating costs for businesses, many of which rely on costly diesel generators. However, there are subsequent improvements in electricity supply which have been attributed to improvements in the management of the national power utility Eskom, and high-level political support from the President and the Minister of Electricity.