Eskom Load Shedding Times, Apps & API Guide 2026
Tired of being caught by surprise when the power goes out? Whether you want a simple app to track your load shedding schedule or you are a developer building tools for South Africans, this guide covers everything — from the best consumer apps to the APIs that power them. We also explain how the load shedding stage system works and how to find your exact schedule by area.
Understanding the Load Shedding Stage System
South Africa uses a staged load shedding system managed by Eskom. The stage number (1–8) determines how many hours per day electricity is cut from each area:
| Stage | Hours Cut Per Day | MWh Shed Nationally |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 2 hours | 1 000 MW |
| Stage 2 | 4 hours | 2 000 MW |
| Stage 3 | 6 hours | 3 000 MW |
| Stage 4 | 8 hours | 4 000 MW |
| Stage 5 | 8–10 hours | 5 000 MW |
| Stage 6 | 10–12 hours | 6 000 MW |
| Stage 7–8 | 12–14 hours | 7 000–8 000 MW |
Each area is assigned to a load shedding group. When Eskom declares Stage 2, only certain groups are affected at any given time — which is why your neighbours may have power while yours is off. The rotation ensures each group shares the burden equally over a 4-day cycle.
How to Find Your Load Shedding Schedule
Step 1: Find Your Area's Group Number
Your suburb is assigned to a load shedding group by your local municipality or Eskom directly. This group number is fixed — it only changes if there is a redistribution exercise (rare). Find it via:
- The EskomSePush app (search your suburb name)
- Your municipality's website (Tshwane, City of Cape Town, eThekwini and Joburg all publish group maps)
- Eskom's website at loadshedding.eskom.co.za (for Eskom-supplied areas only)
Step 2: Read Your Schedule
Once you have your group number, the schedule tells you exactly which 2.5-hour blocks will be affected for each stage. Eskom publishes these schedules in PDF format — but the apps below make this much easier to consume.
Best Apps for Tracking Load Shedding in 2026
The gold standard for South African load shedding tracking. EskomSePush has over 5 million users and covers every municipality in South Africa. It pulls live data directly from Eskom and municipal systems.
Key features:
- Real-time stage announcements with push notifications
- Calendar integration — see upcoming outages weeks ahead
- Area-specific schedules down to suburb level
- Widget for Android and iOS home screens
- Offline schedule caching (works without data during outages)
Platform: Android, iOS • Cost: Free (with optional premium features)
Eskom's official app provides authoritative schedule data and stage announcements. It is the primary source that third-party apps sync with. Less feature-rich than EskomSePush but always reflects official Eskom data.
Platform: Android, iOS • Cost: Free
Particularly strong for municipal electricity customers (City of Cape Town, Joburg, Tshwane). Often updates faster than Eskom-centric apps for these areas since it pulls directly from municipal APIs.
Platform: Android • Cost: Free
Often overlooked but highly effective. Simply search "load shedding [your suburb]" on Google. Google has integrated real-time load shedding data and will often show your next scheduled outage at the top of the search results page.
Platform: Any • Cost: Free
For Developers: The EskomSePush API
If you are building an application, home automation system or smart home integration, the EskomSePush API is the most reliable data source for South African load shedding schedules. It provides structured JSON data updated in real time.
API Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base URL | https://developer.sepush.co.za/business/2.0/ |
| Authentication | API key via Authorization header |
| Free tier | 50 API calls per day |
| Paid tiers | From R99/month for higher limits |
| Data format | JSON |
| Key endpoints | /status, /area, /areas_search, /areas_nearby |
Key API Endpoints
GET /status — Returns the current load shedding stage for Eskom and each municipality:
GET /area?id={area_id} — Returns the full schedule for a specific area:
GET /areas_search?text={query} — Find area IDs by suburb name:
Home Automation Integration
The EskomSePush API is widely used with Home Assistant, Node-RED and custom Raspberry Pi setups. Common use cases include:
- Automatically starting to charge a UPS or battery bank 30 minutes before a scheduled outage
- Sending Telegram or WhatsApp alerts to family members
- Pausing smart devices (pool pumps, geysers) during expected load shedding windows
- Dimming lights or switching to backup circuits automatically
- Logging historical outage data to track actual vs scheduled load shedding
Municipal vs Eskom-Supplied Areas
Not every South African gets electricity directly from Eskom. Many urban residents are supplied by their local municipality (City of Cape Town, Tshwane, Joburg, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay). These municipalities may implement their own load shedding schedules, which can differ from the national Eskom schedule.
| Supplier | Area | Schedule Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eskom Direct | Rural areas, townships | loadshedding.eskom.co.za |
| City of Cape Town | Cape Town metro | capetown.gov.za/loadshedding |
| City of Tshwane | Pretoria metro | tshwane.gov.za |
| City of Joburg | Johannesburg metro | citypower.co.za |
| eThekwini | Durban metro | ethekwini.gov.za |
EskomSePush aggregates data from all of these sources, which is why it is the most convenient single tool for most South Africans regardless of who supplies their electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app for load shedding in South Africa?
EskomSePush (ESP) is widely regarded as the best load shedding app in South Africa. It provides real-time schedule data, push notifications and calendar integration. Available free on Android and iOS.
Is there a free API for Eskom load shedding schedules?
Yes. The EskomSePush API offers a free tier (50 calls/day) and paid plans for higher usage. It returns real-time stage data, area schedules and event data in JSON format. Register at developer.sepush.co.za.
How do I find my load shedding area and schedule?
Search for your suburb by name on EskomSePush (app or website), Eskom's official page (loadshedding.eskom.co.za), or your municipality's website. You will be assigned to a load shedding group and can read your schedule from the relevant timetable.
Can I get an alert before load shedding starts?
Yes. EskomSePush allows you to set notification reminders (e.g. 30 minutes before an outage). You can also set up custom automations via the API or Home Assistant integration.
Preparing Your Home for Load Shedding
Knowing exactly when the power will go off is only half the battle. The other half is making sure your home is ready. The right backup power system keeps your essentials running through every outage, regardless of the stage.
Our load shedding inverter guide walks you through selecting the right inverter for your home size and load shedding stage. For battery sizing, read our dedicated guide on lithium vs lead-acid battery options for South Africa — the right battery chemistry makes a major difference in performance and longevity.