Date of Graduation

Spring 5-16-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in International and Development Economics (MSIDEC)

Department/Program

Economics

First Advisor

Andrew Hobbs

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between loadshedding and nighttime light intensity in South Africa using high-frequency satellite data from 2020 to 2024. By linking rotational blackout schedules to daily radiance measurements at the suburb level, the study examines how electricity disruptions affect visible light emissions and whether these effects vary by wealth. Results show that while load shedding has be-come increasingly severe in recent years, its impact is not felt equally. Poorer suburbs experience larger and more persistent reductions in nighttime radiance during black-outs, suggesting limited capacity to adapt. In contrast, wealthier suburbs show signs of resilience, with smaller drops in light intensity and evidence of adaptation over time. These findings point to growing disparities in energy resilience and raise broader con-cerns about inequality in infrastructure, adaptation, and political accountability. The study highlights the importance of considering wealth and spatial inequality in energy policy and offers a novel approach to measuring blackout impacts using remote sensing data.

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