As winter approaches, consumers should prepare themselves for frequent load-shedding. The severe bout of current load-shedding is reportedly due to Eskom’s efforts to complete maintenance ahead of the electricity usage spike that takes place as temperatures cool.
Load-shedding is divided into three stages:
- Stage 1 means that up to 1000 MW of the national load can be shed.
- In Stage 2 up to 2000 MW of the national load can be shed.
- Stage 3 means that up to 4000 MW of the national load can be shed.
The stage load-shedding needs to be implemented at indicate how severe the pressure on Eskom’s electricity system is. This will determine how frequently and in which areas electricity needs to be switched off.
In most instances, load-shedding will take place in 2 hour block, with an additional 30 minutes needed to switch between block, between 05:00 and 21:30. Consumers are thus usually without electricity for 2 ½ hours.
In Hazyview and the outlaying areas, the load-shedding schedule is as follows:
- Monday: 06:00 to 08:30 (stage 3), 16:00 to 18:30 (all stages) and 22:00 to 00:30 (stage 3).
- Tuesday: 06:00 to 08:30 (stage 2 and 3) 12:00 to 14:30 and 22:00 to 00:30 (stage 3).
- Wednesday: 06:00 to 08:30 (all stages), 12:00 to 14:30 and 22:00 to 00:30 (stage 3).
- Thursday: 12:00 to 14:30 (stage 2 and 3) 18:00 to 20:30 and 22:00 to 00:30 (stage 3).
- Friday: 12:00 to 14:30 (all stages), 18:00 to 20:30 and 22:00 to 00:30 (stage 3).
- Saturday and Sunday: 06:00 to 08:30 (stage 3), 16:00 to 18:30 (stage 2 and 3) and 22:00 to 00:30 (stage 3)
According to Eskom, the electricity supply remains very vulnerable as several units are out of service due to planned and unplanned outages and maintenance. If there are any changes on the system, it could lead to a change in load shedding stages at short notice.
Consumers should keep an eye on local media, Eskom’s power alerts or visit to https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za find out when they will be affected.
To avoid any additional strain on the system, consumers are urged to save electricity where possible. This will also have the added advantage of a lower electricity bill at the end of the month.
Some of the biggest electricity guzzlers are geysers, air conditioners and pool pumps and consumers are urged to switch these and other non-essential appliances off when they aren’t being used.
Commercial customers like shopping centres and offices blocks are also urged to help reduce the strain on the power system by switching lights and office equipment like computers and photocopiers off after hours.
For more electricity tips, click here and to find out which appliances use a lot of electricity, click here.
