Load Shedding Cost Calculator
Calculate the true monthly financial impact of Eskom load shedding on your home — generator fuel, food spoilage, productivity loss — and compare backup power solutions
| Hours without power / month | 130 hrs |
| Outage events / month | 43 |
| Diesel consumed (if generator) | 326 litres |
| Annual fuel cost (generator) | R 86 102 |
| Annual food loss | R 78 274 |
| Annual productivity loss | R 187 858 |
Understanding the True Cost of Load Shedding How to use • Costs • Example
How to Use This Calculator
Select your current Eskom stage (1–8) and how many days per week you are affected. Enter your diesel price if you run a generator, your typical food loss per outage, and an hourly value for productivity loss if you work from home. The calculator breaks down your monthly and annual load shedding bill across all cost categories.
Switch to the Backup Power Comparison tab to compare generator vs solar+battery vs inverter solutions on a total-cost-of-ownership basis, including payback periods.
What Does Load Shedding Actually Cost?
Load shedding costs fall into four categories for homeowners:
- Generator fuel: A standard 5kVA petrol or diesel generator consumes approximately 2–2.5 litres per hour. At April 2026 diesel prices (~R22/litre), Stage 3 alone can cost R700–R1,200/month in fuel.
- Food spoilage: Each extended outage (4+ hours) risks spoilage in your fridge and freezer. The average SA household loses R100–R300 per event in perishables.
- Productivity loss: For the 38% of South Africans who work from home at least part-time, lost power means lost billable hours. At R150/hr this can exceed R3,000/month during Stage 4+.
- Equipment damage and miscellaneous: Power surges damage electronics, UPS batteries degrade, candles and torches are recurring costs — typically R150–R400/month.
Worked Example
Thandi lives in Johannesburg South and experiences Stage 3 load shedding (6 hrs/day) 5 days per week. She runs a 5kVA diesel generator.
Monthly outage hours: 6 hrs × 21.7 days = 130 hours. Diesel: 130 × 2.5L × R22 = R7,150/month.
She loses approximately R200 in food per outage event (approximately 43 events/month) = R8,600/month. She works from home and values her time at R100/hr = R13,000/month productivity loss.
Total: R7,150 + R8,600 + R13,000 + R200 (misc) = R28,950/month or R347,400/year. A R120,000 solar + battery system pays back in under 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does load shedding cost the average South African homeowner per month?
During Stage 3–4 load shedding (the most common levels in 2024–2026), the average SA homeowner with a generator spends R2,500–R6,000 per month on direct costs — primarily diesel fuel, food spoilage, and equipment. For home-based workers or small businesses the cost can exceed R15,000/month when productivity loss is included. Annually, Stage 3 typically costs homeowners R30,000–R70,000 in total impact.
What is the difference between Eskom load shedding stages 1 through 8?
Each stage removes a further 1,000 MW from the national grid and increases the daily hours without power. Stage 1: 2 hrs/day • Stage 2: 4 hrs/day • Stage 3: 6 hrs/day • Stage 4: 8 hrs/day • Stage 5: 10 hrs/day • Stage 6: 12 hrs/day • Stages 7–8 have never been officially implemented but are defined in Eskom's framework as 14 and 16 hours per day respectively.
Is solar still worth it in 2026 with reduced load shedding?
Yes. Even with improved grid stability in late 2024 and 2025, solar + battery systems offer savings on the electricity bill itself (Eskom and municipal tariffs rose 12.74% in 2025), energy independence during future outages, and ongoing Section 6C tax rebates of up to R15,000 on new solar panel installations. Most 5kWp systems achieve payback in 5–8 years based purely on tariff savings — load shedding cover is a bonus. Feed-in tariffs are also available in some municipalities.
What is the cheapest backup power option for load shedding?
For lowest upfront cost: a basic UPS (R1,500–R3,000) or small inverter + gel battery (R5,000–R8,500) will keep lights, Wi-Fi, and phone charging running for 4–6 hours. For full-house backup, a 5kVA diesel generator (R15,000–R25,000) is the most flexible but has high running costs. For lowest long-term cost, solar + lithium battery wins once the load shedding cost savings and electricity bill savings are factored in over 10+ years.
Can I claim load shedding costs on my tax return?
SARS does not allow private homeowners to deduct general load shedding expenses. However, if you work from home and claim a home office deduction under Section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act, a proportional share of generator fuel or backup power costs used for business purposes may be deductible. Solar panels qualify for the Section 6C tax rebate (25% of cost, up to R15,000) for individuals installing new panels on a private residence for the 2025 and 2026 tax years. Consult a tax practitioner for your specific situation.