Picture: for illustration purposes
Load-shedding, the intentional shutdown of electric power in parts of a power network, remains a common occurrence in South Africa where the daily-frequency and length of these power outages differ notably among various municipalities. Durban's eThekwini municipality, for example, averages about four hours of load-shedding per day during stage 6, while areas within Gauteng brace for up to twelve hours on a daily basis.
At the heart of such differences lies the Eskom’s NRS048-9 guidelines that provide parameters for load-shedding. However, the exact implementation strategy is within the purview of each metropolitan area. The guidelines essentially indicate how much power must be reduced at each stage of load-shedding, leaving the rotational power-cuts solely controlled by the municipalities.
eThekwini has gained attention for successfully deploying an automated system to manage load-shedding, resulting in shorter and more predictable power cuts. The city's High Voltage Network Control Division's automated system garnered eThekwini recognition as the Top Performing Project at the annual Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities in October 2023.
The automated system has enabled eThekwini to maintain two-hour blocks while most metros utilize four-hour blocks during high stages. Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda concurs, asserting that the real-time switch-based system makes the load-shedding periods predictable, reducing the adverse impacts on residents and businesses.
However, in comparison, Johannesburg and Tshwane residents endure longer periods of load-shedding, manifesting the divergent strategies adopted by South African municipalities in dealing with the acute energy crisis plaguing the nation.