Cape Town's electricity system is under pressure as per capita energy demand drops and rooftop solar uptake reshapes the grid, according to the city's State of Energy and Carbon 2025 report. The report covers trends from 2014 to 2023 and shows how declining electricity sales, efficiency gains, and new supply arrangements like wheeling are challenging the traditional utility model. Load shedding also drove widespread fuel buffering among businesses and households. The city attributes the demand drop to technological changes, a low-growth economy, and rising Eskom prices. Lower energy use combined with a cleaner grid has cut greenhouse gas emissions, though targets will tighten after 2030. The report highlights the need for Cape Town to adapt its capital-intensive wires business to new customers, diversified supply, and an imminent wholesale electricity market.
