In South Africa, real-time load shedding information provided by webpages are quite important for communities. Retailers, manufacturers, service providers, service users, consumers and even ordinary folks staying at home, need to obtain up-to-date load shedding schedules. That way, they can cope with the difficulties brought about by lack of electricity supply in their specific areas and sector
Eskom, the country’s power supplier warns of a bleak future when it comes to this year’s electrical supply,. The electricity company announced that the forthcoming load shedding phases will be unpredictable. Eskom contends that they no longer have the buffer produced in line with diesel generation. Apparently, the buffer provides the diesel supply for power generating units that unexpectedly breakdown due to aging.
According to news reports, South Africans must brace themselves for another year of systematic reduction of electrical power. However, due to the rundown conditions of the aging coal-fueled power plants, SA citizens will experience a year of power cuts that is worse than that of the year 2022. As a matter of fact, the power cuts anticipated this year will be scheduled on a daily basis, which means the number of power cuts this year will exceed last year’s number. Based on the 2022 statistical reports, the rate of power supply reduction last year was more than twice the power reduction rate in 2022.
It would be wise therefore for South Africans to get hold of load shedding schedules, so they can plan their activities in advance. Since power outages are anticipated to happen on a daily bases, planning should include simple tasks like preparing meals, dishwashing, clothes washing and drying, bathing, working-from-home and other activities requiring Internet connection.
What Kind of Help Do Load Shedding Technology Sites Offer?
Loadshedding technology sites offer more than just load shedding schedules in general, The technology offers online tools and maps for locating load shedding schedule, based on a specific SA district. Examples of such sectors are Stellenbosch, Mainesbury, Middlesburg, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Parow, Saldnha and Cape Town, which is just to mention a few. In addition, loadshedding websites have a troveful of energy conservation tips. They also offer valuable advice about backup power equipment like generators, inverters and solar panels, batteries and other emerging, alternative power supply solutions.
What Exactly is Loadshedding and How Did the System Start?
Load shedding in South Africa actually began in 2007, when major power suppliers considered it necessary to reduce electricity consumption by turning off power supply in specific areas. The entire power generating system is considered at risk if it exceeds a predetermined “safe” level of demand for electricity. The said safe level was established by load testing in order to prevent overloading the power transmissions and distribution lines.
Stiil, any moment there is overloading, the event will result in loadshedding, a reaction in which the system drops or sheds a fraction of incoming customer requests for power supply. The reaction is designed to bring the available power supply back to the predetermined safe level.
However, 15 years later, solutions to this problem have not been provided with advanced technology, while the coal-fueled power generators remain in aging conditions.