No More Load Shedding? What Expats Need to Know About Cape Town’s Power Supply in 2026
Let’s start with the good news: the days when South African residents had to organise their daily lives around a Load Shedding schedule appear, for now, to be a thing of the past in 2026.
But what does this actually mean for people planning to move to Cape Town? How reliable is the power supply today? And are there still risks to consider when choosing where to live?
Anyone moving to Cape Town today will encounter a very different situation from just a few years ago.
One Year Without Load Shedding
On 15 May 2026, South Africa reached a remarkable milestone: the country had gone a full year without Load Shedding. The last nationwide power cuts had taken place on 15 May 2025.
Since then, the situation within South Africa’s electricity system has improved significantly. Eskom attributes the progress primarily to higher power-station availability, fewer unplanned breakdowns and measures introduced under its so-called Generation Recovery Plan.
The positive trend continued into August 2026. Eskom reported an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 67.55% for the financial year to mid-August – the highest level in six years. At the same time, unplanned outages had fallen significantly compared with the previous year.
For people who still associate South Africa with regular power cuts, this represents a major change.
What Does This Mean for Cape Town?
Cape Town’s power supply needs to be viewed somewhat differently from South Africa as a whole.
The City of Cape Town operates its own municipal electricity network and has invested in measures designed to increase the resilience of the system. One important asset is the Steenbras Pumped Storage Scheme, a pumped-storage power station that can help stabilise the electricity grid under certain circumstances.
The use of diesel generators has also declined significantly. Eskom reported that diesel expenditure for the financial year to mid-August had fallen by more than 83% compared with the previous year.
For newcomers, this means that the question “Will I have electricity in Cape Town?” can no longer be answered based on the experience of 2022 or 2023.
In 2026, the likelihood of having to organise your everyday life around a Load Shedding schedule is significantly lower.
However, a stable national power supply does not automatically mean that every neighbourhood and every property will be free from power interruptions at all times.
Load Shedding Is Not the Same as a Local Power Outage
This is an important distinction that many people overlook when preparing for a move to South Africa.
Load Shedding refers to controlled and planned power cuts implemented when the national electricity system does not have sufficient capacity to meet demand.
A local power outage, on the other hand, can have completely different causes, including:
technical problems within the local network
damaged cables or transformers
maintenance work
damage caused by severe weather
overloaded infrastructure
problems affecting individual sections of the electricity networ
Winter 2026 Was an Important Test
The developments during the South African winter were particularly significant.
Winter traditionally puts additional pressure on the electricity system because demand increases as temperatures fall.
Nevertheless, in its Winter Outlook 2026, Eskom expected that Load Shedding would not be required between April and the end of August. So far, that forecast has been borne out.
Do You Still Need an Inverter in Cape Town?
The short answer is: not necessarily – but a backup system can still be useful.
People moving to Cape Town today do not automatically need to spend several thousand rand on a large solar and battery-storage system.
On the other hand, a small inverter or battery backup can be extremely practical for certain devices.
These may include:
Wi-Fi routers
laptops
smartphones
televisions
alarm systems
essential lighting
electronic access systems
For many households, the goal is not to remain completely independent of the electricity grid for several hours. Instead, a backup system prevents a short power interruption from immediately disrupting your home office, internet connection or security system.
For people working remotely from Cape Town and relying on a stable internet connection, a small backup system can therefore still be a worthwhile investment.
Solar Power Remains an Attractive Option
The current stability of the electricity grid does not mean that solar power is becoming less relevant in South Africa. On the contrary, solar remains attractive to many homeowners – although it is no longer simply a response to Load Shedding.
Cape Town’s relatively high levels of sunshine make photovoltaic systems an appealing option for certain households.
Whether a larger solar installation actually makes financial sense, however, depends heavily on the property, electricity consumption, existing infrastructure and how long you plan to stay in South Africa.
For someone renting in Cape Town for just one year, a major investment may be less attractive than for a homeowner planning to live in South Africa long-term.
What Does This Mean for People Moving to Cape Town?
For future expats, the current development is very positive news.
Nevertheless, we recommend not simply crossing electricity supply off your relocation checklist.
Several factors are relevant when choosing where to live:
1. Which neighbourhood is the property in?
Infrastructure can vary between different areas of the city.
2. Who is responsible for the electricity supply?
Depending on the location and type of property, different electricity supply structures may apply.
3. How important is an uninterrupted internet connection?
For remote workers, a small backup system can still be worthwhile.
4. Does the property already have an inverter or solar system?
When viewing a property, it is worth clarifying this point before making a decision.
5. How long do you plan to stay?
For a shorter stay, a small backup system may be sufficient. If you are buying a property for long-term use, solar power and battery storage may be worth considering differently.
What Should You Ask When Looking for a Property?
If you are moving to Cape Town, don’t simply ask:
“Is there Load Shedding?”
It is much more useful to ask specific questions about the property itself:
How often has the property experienced local power outages in the past?
Who supplies the electricity?
Is there an inverter?
Which appliances and systems remain operational during a power outage?
Is there a solar installation?
How large is the battery storage system?
Does the internet continue to work during a power outage?
Does the building have a generator?
How are communal areas of an apartment complex supplied during an outage?
Particularly in apartment buildings and residential complexes, these details can make a significant difference to everyday life.
A Realistic Look at the Future
As positive as the current developments are, nobody can guarantee that Load Shedding will never return.
South Africa’s electricity system remains complex. Power stations require maintenance, demand continues to change and the country’s energy infrastructure is still evolving. Eskom’s current forecasts should therefore not be interpreted as a permanent guarantee.
For future expats, a realistic assessment is more useful than either excessive optimism or holding on to outdated perceptions of South Africa’s electricity situation.
Our Conclusion: Cape Town in 2026 Is Not Cape Town in 2022
For anyone considering a move to Cape Town, the improvement in electricity supply is an important positive development.
Load Shedding is currently no longer a defining feature of everyday life. Nevertheless, local power outages can still occur, and having a basic backup system can provide additional security – particularly for remote workers and households relying on internet connectivity and security systems.
The key is to look beyond the general question of Load Shedding and understand the specific infrastructure of the property and neighbourhood you are considering.
Are you planning to move to Cape Town and have questions about choosing the right neighbourhood or property?
We are happy to help with your relocation.
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