Stage 16 load shedding could be implemented this winter

South Africans may soon face Stage 16 load shedding with power cuts of up to 32 hours.

SA MAY SOON FACE STAGE 16 LOAD SHEDDING WITH UP TO 32 HOURS OF POWER CUTS

This comes after a document titled “voluntary” NRS048-9 edition 3, which would, in unforeseen emergency circumstances, allow Eskom to implement drastic load shedding beyond stage 8, is currently being finalised by the National Regulatory Services Association of SA, a voluntary association assisting with regulating load shedding.

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According to reports, Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena confirmed the document.

ESKOM REPORTEDLY CONFIRMED THE DOCUMENT

Mokwena said this document allowed for load shedding to be implemented up to stage 16.

She added that its guidelines would be implemented only if there were emergencies threatening to collapse the grid, something that might be possible during winter.

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NRS membership comprises energy suppliers, including Eskom, municipalities, and regulators.

THIS DOCUMENT ALLOWED FOR LOAD SHEDDING UP TO STAGE 16

Mokwena was asked if South Africa should expect worst-case scenarios, such as the possibility of the power grid facing total collapse and requiring load shedding above stage 8.

She responded that the safety of the grid could not be guaranteed.

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IT WOULD ONLY BE IMPLEMENTED IF THERE ARE EMERGENCIES

Meanwhile, energy expert Lungile Mashele also warned that things would certainly get worse once we get into the deeper months of winter, around late July and August.

‘THINGS WILL GET WORSE IN THE DEEPER MONTHS OF WINTER’

“Now if I just extrapolate from the current stages we have and go into Stage 16, suffice it to say that Stage 16 will be double of Stage 8. In essence, if we have around eight hours of load shedding during Stage 8, you can only imagine how bad Stage 16 will be.

“You’ll be looking at about 16 hours without electricity but obviously, this is what the NRS document needs to clarify and update us on.”

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