Question NW1742 to the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
26 May 2023 - NW1742
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
Whether he has found that the possibility of Stage 8 of load shedding is looming closer than the possibility of the load shedding crisis being handled; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The winter outlook indicates an increased risk of supply shortfall against expected demand, with our worst-case scenario indicating that load shedding could intensify to stage eight if our interventions are unsuccessful. Stage 6 loadshedding is the highest stage of loadshedding implemented in South Africa so far. Stage 7 or 8 load shedding has not been implemented.
The NRS048-9 Code of Practice differentiates between loadshedding and load curtailment, the latter being the instructed, partial reduction of demand from large industrial customers. On occasion, load curtailment, up to Stage 4, has been implemented in conjunction with Stage 6 loadshedding.
Each stage of load curtailment is approximately 5% of the large customer demand with Stage 4 load curtailment being up to 1000MW of demand that is removed from the power system.