When there is not enough power to fulfill the demand of all customers, load shedding occurs, and an electricity (public) provider will stop supplying energy to some regions.
Eskom started implementing load-shedding in late 2007
Who Is Responsible
The state-owned company, Eskom, supervises all phases of energy provision in the country, from generation to distribution.
According to reports, the situation is due to a lack of producing capacity (South Africa generates about 47,000 MW compared to its installed capacity of 52,000 MW), operational concerns, maintenance problems, and breakdowns at old, poorly maintained power plants.
These problems are primarily a result of underinvestment and Eskom’s battle with heavy debt loads. Eskom is asking for higher rates than those granted last year, which the company claims put its finances in danger. President Ramaphosa even said the nation would permit businesses and homes to produce electricity to reduce the burden on Eskom in January 2020.
Equitably Reducing Burden
There has been significant discussion regarding whether power is rationed on an equal basis. Evidence suggests that load shedding is unevenly distributed. Load shedding will affect either all or portions of a system.
Electricity in South Africa is not always reliable. Although the country has huge deposits of coal, nuclear and hydroelectric power also form an important part of the nation’s energy mix. This often leads to widespread load-shedding, a period when electricity is cut off from specific areas of the country. In this article we take a look at why load-shedding occurs in South Africa and when it started.
What Causes Load Shedding In South Africa?
South Africa’s power supply is primarily derived from coal, nuclear and hydroelectric power. Thus, fluctuations in production and supply are inevitable. In fact, there is a one to two percent fluctuation in energy production in South Africa. This means that sometimes there are periods when there is a shortfall in supply and other times there is a surplus. Due to the country’s vast coal deposits, coal remains the primary source of electricity production in South Africa. Coal reserves in the country are huge and this means that there are times when supply is not an issue. Nuclear power has been used as a back-up during periods of coal shortages. There is a one-to-two year lifespan for nuclear power plants and this means that sometimes it is unavailable when needed. This has resulted in the need for load-shedding in South Africa.
South Africa’s power sector was formed in 1995 when the government separated the existing state utility, Gencor, into two entities: Eskom, which operates the power transmission network, and the SA National Power Pool (Sansapro), which operates the power generation system. In 2004, the government changed the constitution to allow the state-owned power utility to be sold to private investors. Consequently, a consortium led by Delmas Capital Partners acquired a 51 percent stake in the company. In 2006, the government introduced an energy policy that aimed to increase energy production and decrease reliance on coal. Consequently, the government approved the construction of a nuclear power plant at Koeberg along with several renewable energy projects.
Eskom publishes notices in newspapers and on its website to inform customers about impending load shedding. It also sends text messages to customers in areas that experience load shedding. Customers are also told on radio and TV about load shedding. It is not clear whether these methods are effective at informing the public about load-shedding.
How to Avoid Power Outages During Load Shedding Period?
South Africans who live in areas with a high level of demand can avoid load shedding by using energy-efficient devices. They can also install solar panels at their homes. If your power provider offers a ‘smart meter’ service, you can program your device to remind you when to switch it off. This is a particularly helpful tip if you have a ‘smart’ device that consumes a large amount of energy when you leave it on, such as a hair dryer. You can also ‘switch off’ lights in your home and car. This could help reduce demand, since it takes a lot of energy to keep them on.
Conclusion
Load shedding is a normal part of life in South Africa, and it probably won’t stop any time soon. It’s a good idea to be prepared, and you should follow the tips provided above to avoid the worst of the load shedding.
