Understanding the load shedding stages

Eskom recently put citizens on a rollercoaster ride of emotions after implementing stage 2 of load-shedding before moving on to stage 3, stage 4, and now 6.

Although we are aware that stage one calls for the least amount of load shedding, how precisely does the “shedding pyramid” change as we move up or down?

#Loadshedding is used under emergency conditions for limited periods to prevent total collapse of the Grid. To understand the process and what the different stages entail click on the link : https://t.co/HU9rLhpVU6 pic.twitter.com/s7ZLnpeZLW

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) September 15, 2022

The load shedding stages are explained:

Stage 1

Provides for the shedding of up to 1 000 MW of the total national load. Three two-hour outages will be imposed for four days or three four-hour outages will be conducted throughout eight days.

Stage 2

Stage 2 increases the frequency of stage 1 and permits up to 2 000 MW of the national load to be shed. The implementation of outages will occur either six times over eight days for four hours at a time or six times over four days for two hours at a time.

Stage 3

Will arrange load-shedding nine times over eight days for four hours at a time or nine times over four days for two hours at a time. This is a 50% increase in the frequency of stage 2.

Stage 4

Up to 4 000 MW of the total national load may be shed during Stage 4. Twelve two-hour outages will be enforced for four days, or 12 four-hour outages will be conducted for eight days.

Stage 5

The amount of load shedding at stage 5 is 5 000 MW. This indicates that South Africans will easily endure around eight hours of load-shedding each day. This stands in stark contrast to stage 4 load shedding, which requires you to experience load-shedding 12 times over 8 days or 12 times over 4 days for two hours each time.

Stage 6

This means that to prevent the collapse of the national power grid it needs to lose 6 000 MW of power, which forces the state-owned utility to initiate extra, unplanned power cuts wherever necessary and outside of its schedules.

This also implies that sudden blackouts could happen in your location at any time. The amount of power that must be saved for stages seven and eight is 7 000 MW and 8 000 MW, respectively.

Loadshedding is currently underway.

Please visit the loadshedding website https://t.co/UzMtttaJ4q to view and download your schedule. pic.twitter.com/v9Ek8eZLd5

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) September 15, 2022

#Loadshedding is in progress

Please switch off all non-essential electrical appliances during loadshedding to avoid power surges when the power returns. Failure to do so may lead to unnecessary trips or damages to office/household appliances when the supply is restored. pic.twitter.com/wluZamJxkH

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) September 13, 2022

Know the difference between loadshedding and an outage.

Please contact your service provider if you have a power outage outside of your scheduled loadshedding time. Eskom customers can log calls on the chatbot https://t.co/vYE65yRH9c pic.twitter.com/OiHOxq2Aqs

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) September 13, 2022