South Africa Declares State of Emergency Due to Energy Crisis

December 10, 2022

2 minutes read

State of Emergency

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of emergency today in response to an escalating energy crisis that has led to widespread power outages across the nation. This emergency declaration comes amid ongoing challenges faced by the state-owned power utility, Eskom, which has struggled to meet the country’s energy demands.

The crisis has resulted in frequent rolling blackouts, referred to as “load shedding,” which have disrupted daily life and economic activities. Eskom announced that it would implement Stage 6 load shedding, meaning that electricity supply would be reduced by 6,000 megawatts, resulting in power outages of up to 12 hours in some areas. This decision reflects a worsening situation, with insufficient generation capacity to meet demand during peak hours.

President Ramaphosa, in a televised address, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are in a crisis, and we need to act decisively. This declaration will allow us to mobilize resources and implement measures to stabilize our power supply.” He outlined plans to accelerate the procurement of additional power generation capacity and urged all South Africans to conserve energy during this challenging time.

The energy crisis has been exacerbated by a combination of factors, including aging infrastructure, maintenance issues, and breakdowns at several coal-fired power plants. In recent months, public frustration has mounted, with protests occurring in various cities, demanding immediate government action to address the crisis.

Economic analysts warn that prolonged power outages could severely impact economic growth, hinder job creation, and increase costs for businesses. The mining and manufacturing sectors, in particular, are vulnerable, given their reliance on consistent power supply. Business leaders have called for urgent reforms to address the energy supply issue and ensure a stable energy future.

In light of the crisis, the government is exploring alternative energy sources, including renewable energy projects and partnerships with private energy producers. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is working on expediting the approval process for new energy projects to help alleviate the pressure on Eskom.

As South Africa grapples with this energy emergency, residents are urged to remain patient and to take necessary precautions during power outages. The government aims to restore stability to the energy sector and ensure a reliable power supply for all South Africans.

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

Senegal

Senegal Sees Economic Integration Push at WAVES Summit

Senegal is taking center stage in West Africa’s economic integration efforts with the upcoming WAVES ...

Atlantic

Atlantic Lithium Prepares for Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana

Atlantic Lithium, listed on the ASX, AIM, and Ghana Stock Exchange, has secured all necessary ...

Burkina faso

BurkinaFaso Scraps Electoral Commission Prolongs Military Rule

Burkina Faso’s military leaders have disbanded the Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI), a decision that ...

Wafcon

Wafcon 2024 Quarter-Finals: Africa’s Top Women’s Teams Clash

The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco has kicked off with an ...

Features

Buhari's Legacy

From the Fulani Plains to Power: The Buhari Chronicle

Muhammadu Buhari (17 December 1942 – 13 July 2025), a name etched into Nigeria’s historical ...

Flood

Texas Mourns as Flash Flood Death Toll Hits 120

Shock has turned to grief across Texas as the death toll from devastating flash floods ...

heat

Morocco Heat Wave Drives Surge in Air Conditioning Demand

Morocco is grappling with a severe heatwave this summer, with temperatures soaring well above average ...

UK

UK and US Clamp Down on Nigerian Visas:What Does It Really Mean?

The United Kingdom and United States have recently tightened visa policies for Nigerian citizens, sparking ...

Netherlands Returns 119 Looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Netherlands returned 119 looted artifacts, known as the Benin ...

Ngugi-wa-Thiongo

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o:Passed the pen to the Next Generation.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a legendary Kenyan writer, scholar, and revolutionary voice in African literature passed ...

ECOWAS

ECOWAS Celebrates 50th Anniversary Amid Sahel States Tensions

On May 28, 1975, fifteen West African nations signed the Lagos Treaty, establishing the Economic ...

What Really Moves Bitcoin’s Price? A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Drivers of Volatility and Value

What Really Moves Bitcoin’s Price? A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Drivers of Volatility and Value

​Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, has captivated the financial world with its innovative technology and notable ...

Latest News

Today in History

July 19th is the day in 1985 that the Val di Stava dam collapses killing 268 people in Val di Stava, Italy.

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram384.23
GH Ghana Cedi10.425
GM Gambian Dalasi71.5
GN Guinea Franc8,656
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,530.97
CF CFA Franc BEAC564.0902
18 Jul · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 18 Jul 2025 23:05 UTC
Latest change: 18 Jul 2025 23:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?