DIFFERENCE IN LOADSHEDDING STAGES

Loadshedding is a term that has become all too familiar in South Africa over the past decade. It refers to the intentional and temporary reduction of electricity supply to certain areas to avoid a complete power outage. Eskom, South Africa’s main electricity supplier, implements loadshedding as a last resort to prevent the entire electricity grid from collapsing.

Why is Loadshedding Implemented?

The South African electricity grid is under tremendous strain due to a lack of investment in new power plants, aging infrastructure, and an increasing demand for electricity. The grid is unable to cope with the high demand for electricity during peak hours, resulting in the need for loadshedding. Loadshedding is an essential tool to manage electricity demand and supply and prevent a complete blackout, which can have devastating consequences for businesses, hospitals, and homes.

Stages of Loadshedding

Loadshedding is implemented in stages, ranging from stage 1 to stage 8, depending on the severity of the power shortage. Each stage represents a different level of reduction in electricity supply, with stage 1 being the least severe and stage 8 being the most severe.

Stage 1 load shedding means that up to 1000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 3 times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or 3 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.
Stage 2 load shedding means that up to 2000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 6 times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or 6 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.
Stage 3 load shedding means that up to 3000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 9 times over a four-day period for two hours at a time, or 9 times over an eight-day period for four hours at a time.
Stage 4 load shedding means that up to 4000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 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.
Stage 5 load shedding means that up to 5000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 12 times over a four-day period: • 9 times for 2 hours • 3 times for 4 hours
Stage 6 load shedding means that up to 6000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 12 times over a four-day period: • 6 times for 2 hours • 6 times for 4 hours
Stage 7 load shedding means that up to 7000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 12 times over a four-day period: • 3 times for 2 hours • 9 times for 4 hours
Stage 8 load shedding means that up to 8000MW of capacity needs to be shed. Consumers can expect to be shed up to 12 times over a four-day period for four hours at a time.

During loadshedding, Eskom rotates the power cuts to different areas to ensure that no area experiences a complete power outage for an extended period. This means that different areas will experience power cuts at different times, and the schedule may change from day to day.