Load-reduction vs load-shedding: Residents debate difference, expert explains
Find out the difference between load-shedding and load-reduction.
The recent electricity load-reduction the Tshwane metro has implemented in Soshanguve has sparked debate among residents, with some viewing it as a euphemism for load-shedding.
Energy expert Chris Yelland however has explained that load-shedding and load-reduction are distinct concepts with different purposes.
Load-shedding, according to Yelland, is primarily a generation problem that occurs when Eskom’s generation capacity fails to meet electricity demand.
He said to balance supply and demand, Eskom reduces demand by switching off parts of the country and rotating the outages to spread therefore minimising the effect.
“This is done to prevent a complete grid collapse,” he said.
Yelland said, on the other hand, load-reduction is a distribution problem that occurs when the network distribution is overloaded.
He added that to prevent transformers from overheating and catching fire, electricity is switched off during peak hours to reduce the load.
“This proactive approach prevents prolonged power outages and ensures a stable supply of electricity,” he said.
He said overloading is caused by urbanisation, illegal electricity connections, high electricity demand and the metro not upgrading infrastructure and plants.
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Yelland said it is also caused by poor management by the municipality.
“If the municipality does not grow or invest in infrastructure they fall behind in upgrading and expanding the electricity network, and it eventually becomes overloaded,” said Yelland.
He said this must not be made to seem like it is only the consumer’s fault because the municipality also plays a part.
Yelland said it’s the municipality’s responsibility to thwart electricity theft and invest in infrastructure maintenance.
He added that load-reduction will continue until the overloading problem is fixed.
“In some populated cities this is implemented even in summer,” he said.
Nolwazi Mlotshwa, a resident of Soshanguve, said load-reduction is load-shedding by a different name.
“The municipality is being inconsiderate and unfair to us who pay for rates and electricity. This is one of their schemes to save money for their own needs,” said Mlotshwa.
Another resident Minentle Zulu said Soshanguve had suffered power outages when transformers caught alight so this might be a great plan to prevent prolonged blackouts.
“Anything to reduce unnecessary power outages, I am in full support of it,” said Zulu.
ALSO READ: Metro implements power ‘load reduction’ in Sosh
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