What is load shedding?
It is a common phenomenon: load shedding in South Africa. But what exactly is load shedding and how can you prepare for it?
Simply put, load shedding is a power outage, but one that is planned and communicated in advance. It is a controlled process of rotational power cuts to protect the electricity power system from a total blackout.
Eskom, South Africa's largest energy supplier, is facing major difficulties in meeting energy demand. These problems are caused, among others, by a combination of insufficient capacity and a backlog of maintenance, which causes defects.
To prevent power plant failures and great chaos, Eskom works with the load shedding system. With this system, different regions are turned off from electricity for a minimum period of 2.5 hours per day, so that as a resident you temporarily have no power for the refrigerator, air conditioning and lighting, among other things.
The different load shedding stages explained
The impact of Load Shedding is divided into a total of 8 different Stages with Stage 1 being the least disruptive, and Stage 8 having the most impact with a 50% reduction. Below you will find the meaning of the 4 most common Load Shedding Stages:
- Stage 1 allows for up to 1 000 MW of the national load to be shed.
Outages will be implemented three times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or three times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time. - Stage 2 allows for up to 2 000 MW of the national load to be shed, and doubles the frequency of stage 1.
Outages will be implemented six times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or six times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time. - Stage 3 allows for up to 3 000 MW of the national load to be shed. This stage increases the frequency of stage 2 by 50%, so outages will be implemented nine times over a four day period for two hours at a time, or nine times over an eight day period for four hours at a time.
- Stage 4 allows for up to 4 000 MW of the national load to be shed. Outages will be implemented 12 times over a four day period for two hours at a time, or 12 times over an eight day period for four hours at a time.
Solar energy
At Villa Tall Horse you will not be bothered too much by load shedding. This is because of the installed solar panels and the battery, which means that the villa is almost completely self-sufficient in its energy consumption. This is not only better for the environment but also very practical because basic facilities such as light, electricity, and internet are guaranteed. Cooking is also possible. Only for the air conditioners, the power supply during load shedding is not fully guaranteed.
Tips
Still, it is useful to be prepared for the Load Shedding if you go out or make a road trip through South Africa. For example, it is usually not possible to withdraw money at the ATM or to refuel during load shedding. Most restaurants have a generator, but not all. Luckily there is always the braai!
Via the Eskom website (www.eskom.co.za) you can find information about the Load Shedding schedule in the region where you reside. The easiest way is to download the App “EskomSePush” (IOS & Android) via your mobile phone. After you have entered your destination, you will be automatically informed when and which Load Shedding Stage applies.
