Guidelines for implementing load shedding from stage 8 onwards have been approved by Nersa. (Papi Morake/Garo Images).
- Nersa has approved protocols to implement load shedding up to stage 16.
- Until last year, there was no protocol for load shedding beyond stage 8.
- Vallee Padayachee said the code of conduct is aimed at preventing nationwide power outages and power grid collapses caused by human error.
- For more financial news, visit: News24 Business Top Page.
Guidelines for implementing load shedding up to stage 16 have been approved by the South African National Energy Regulator (Nersa).
The Code of Practice was developed by a working group of experts appointed by the South African National Rational Specification Society (NRS Association) and was published this week. Among the experts were representatives from Eskom, the Energy Intensive User Group, Metro and the regulator itself.
The code was submitted to Nersa for approval last year. News24 previously reported that at the time there were no protocols in place for load shedding beyond stage 8. The previous code was published in 2017.
NERSA approved updated guidelines in early March.
The provision aims to assist Eskom and local authorities, who supply electricity, and “the country as a whole” to reduce the impact of higher stages of load shedding and prevent national blackouts and the collapse of the entire power grid. said Vallee Padayachie. , Chairman of the NRS Association Steering Committee.
Eskom and local authorities are required to comply with this code to ensure grid stability.
Padayachie said the provision also empowers Eskom's system operator (which manages the electricity grid) and electricity distribution companies to take certain actions in an emergency.
Padayachie also stressed the need for load shedding to prevent grid collapse and power outages.
“This is different from a 'blackout,' which is an uncontrollable power outage that affects many customers at the same time,” he said.
He also emphasized that advanced stages of load shedding do not necessarily mean a power outage is imminent.
… Higher stages of load shedding do not mean that the country's power grid is approaching a “blackout” or complete collapse. This is because Eskom SO (System Operator) and Eskom and municipal power distribution control centers are equipped with many other tools to prevent “blackouts”. “Power outage” and complete power grid collapse.
However, there is a risk factor that can and did cause the outage, and that is human operator error, Padayachie said.
“Mitigating human error is essential to maintaining the reliability and stability of the national power grid,” he added. Therefore, important measures to reduce the risk of human error include training, establishing standard protocols, and regulatory oversight.
Padayachee said it can take days or weeks to restore power after a power outage or grid collapse.
Mr Padayachee added that the protocols were updated as a “proactive measure” with Eskom and local authorities in a “state of preparedness and readiness” to implement load reductions beyond Stage 8 if warranted.
This document details how much load or energy demand must be reduced in each stage of load shedding up to stage 16.
This ranges from a minimum of 5% demand reduction in stage 1 to up to 80% of demand reduction by stage 16.
For the past few weeks, load shedding has been limited to Stage 2. According to data tracked by The Outlier, load shedding will be in place for more than 80 days by 2024.
