Are you struggling to Understanding Eskom Load shedding stages? In this article, I explain the capacity required for each stage from stage 1 to stage 8. Eskom moved from stage 4 to stage 6 load shedding as from 18:00 today, due to a shortage of capacity. The is a requirement of 1000 megawatts (MW) for each stage.
Eskom's mandate is to generate, transport and distribute electricity for entire South Africa. However, Eskom only directly supplies 5 million households. Which means most of us are supplied by municipalities. At all times there must be sufficient supply to meet demands. But electricity demands are not consistency due to deferent peak-period and also continues the growth of homes getting connected to electricity. This means that the power system needs consistency and prudent management of supply to meet demand. But today Eskom faces the challenge of the constrained power system, that will affect us until a new power system introduced to get new capacity.
In the main time, the old power stations are being used to full capacity. In addition, routine, necessary maintenance on plant and infrastructure is carefully schedule maintenance to limit compromising supply capacity during the period of high demands. Eskom also reduced localized outrage. The localized outrage should not be confused with schedule load-shedding. Localized outrage can occur when there are technical faults when electrical equipment has been tempered such as theft of cables, an overload of the local system because of irregular high usage.
Load shedding or load reduction is done countrywide as a controlled option to respond to unplanned events to protect the power system for the total blackout. The countrywide blackout has serious consequences which can occur when there is too much demand and too little supply bring the power system to imbalanced tripping the power system in its entirety.
List Load shedding stages
- Stage 1 allows for up to 1000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 2 allows for up to 2000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 3 allows for up to 3000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 4 allows for up to 4000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 5 allows for up to 5000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 6 allows for up to 6000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 7 allows for up to 7000 MW of the national load to be shed.
- Stage 8 allows for up to 8000 MW of the national load to be shed.
This follows a technical problem at Medupi Power Station impacting additional generation supply. The heavy rains have caused coal handling and operational problems at several power stations.
Eskom released the following state We remind and assure customers that loadshedding at Stage 6 is no cause for alarm as the system is being effectively controlled. Stage 6, requires 6000MW to be rotationally loadshed.
Eskom's emergency response command centre and technical teams will be working through the night to restore units as soon
as possible. Eskom is working closely large industry to assist with further load curtailment.
Loadshedding is a responsible act and highly controlled process, implemented to protect the country from a national blackout.
After 2015, Eskom and the municipalities identified the need to extend the loadshedding stages up to stage 8 and the national code (NRS048-9 Ed 2) was subsequently updated.
Even beyond these schedules, the System Operator will reduce demand in a manner that is controlled.
Stage 6 loadshedding schedules are available on the Eskom website.
Eskom Stage 1 Load shedding.
Stage 1 Load shedding allows for up to 1000 MW of the national load to be shed, If the metro schedule has eight areas in a block to be affected, only four of the eight areas may be affected on day 1 and the other remaining four will be affected on day 2.
Eskom Stage 2 Load shedding.
Stage 2 allows for up to 2000 MW of the national load to be shed. When stage 2 is declared, the metro schedules are implemented in full. If there are eight areas in a block to be affected areas, all eight areas will be affected.
Eskom Stage 3 Load shedding.
Stage 3 allows for up to 3000 MW of the national load to be shed. Stage 3 is completely out of the metro’s control and is implemented by Eskom to protect the national grid from collapsing and avoid a blackout.
Eskom Stage 4 Load shedding.
Stage 4 allows for up to 4000 MW of the national load to be shed. Stage 4 is as bad as it gets in terms of load shedding. Eskom starts additional, unscheduled power cuts wherever it needs to and outside of its schedules.
Eskom Stage 5 Load shedding.
Stage 5 allows for up to 5000 MW of the national load to be shed. South African residents will be without power multiple times a day (up to 5 times, or 10 hours), depending on the day’s schedule.
Eskom Stage 6 Load shedding.
Stage 6 allows for up to 6000 MW of the national load to be shed. 6000 MW will be shed meaning 6 hours without electricity per day. Expect to stay in dark without power multiple times a day (up to 6 times, or 12 hours), depending on the day’s schedule Remember you are employed to work for 8 hours.
Eskom Stage 7 Load shedding.
Stage 7 allows for up to 7000 MW of the national load to be shed. Stage 7 is probably a 23 Hour BlackoutEskom Stage 8 Load shedding.
Stage 8 allows for up to 8000 MW of the national load to be shed. Eskom starts additional, unscheduled power cuts wherever it needs to and outside of its schedules. This means your area can be hit by blackouts at any time without any warning. The country hasn’t reached this stage since 2008. During stage 8 load shedding, consumers would be without power for 48 hours over four days, or 96 hours in eight days. |
| The table below shows how stage 5 and 6 would build on from stage 4 in the City of Joburg |
Municipality information
For load-shedding schedules affecting the City of Johannesburg, you can visit www.citypower.co.za, or call 086 056 2874, or follow them on Twitter @CityPowerJhb.
For load-shedding schedules affecting the City of Tshwane, you can visit www.tshwane.gov.za, or call (012) 358-2111 / (012) 427-2111, or follow them on Twitter @CityTshwane.
For load-shedding schedules affecting the City of Cape Town, you can visit www.capetown.gov.za or this page, or call 0860 103 089, or follow them on Twitter @CityofCT.
For load shedding schedules affecting the City of eThekwini, you can visit www.durban.gov.za, or call 080 13 13 111, or follow them on Twitter @eThekwiniM.
If you live in the Mangaung Metro Municipality, you can visit www.mangaung.co.za, or call 0800 111 300. You can also visit http://www.centlec.co.za or call 086 007 6937.
