Load shedding

What is load shedding?

Load shedding is the controlled switching off of electricity in certain areas when demand for power exceeds supply. This prevents the entire power grid from being overloaded and failing altogether.

In practice, this means that a power company or grid operator schedules which regions temporarily receive no power. You can think of it as an emergency measure to protect the grid from a total blackout.

Although load shedding often occurs in countries with outdated or underfunded infrastructure, it can also occur in developed areas when, for example, there is extreme cold, fire or other disasters that disrupt power supplies.

Cause of load shedding

The main cause of load shedding is a structural imbalance between electricity demand and available supply. When electricity production falls short and the grid cannot handle this peak demand, controlled shutdowns of parts of the grid are often the only way to prevent a complete blackout.

In many countries, this problem is linked to outdated infrastructure, insufficient investment in maintenance, and strong growth in electricity demand due to population growth and industrialization. Energy poverty also plays an important role. In regions where households and businesses do not have access to stable and affordable energy, additional pressure is placed on the grid as soon as demand increases. Energy poverty thus increases the likelihood of load shedding and makes it more difficult to implement structural solutions.

What are the consequences of load shedding?

Although load shedding is intended as a protective measure for the electricity grid, it has far-reaching consequences for households, businesses, and society as a whole.

• Economic damage: interruptions in production processes lead to loss of production, decline in turnover, and higher operating costs for companies.
• Reduced productivity: work comes to a standstill, communication is disrupted, and digital systems are temporarily unusable.
• Higher costs for users: households and businesses are forced to invest in emergency power supplies, generators, or battery storage.
• Pressure on essential services: hospitals, schools, and public services may encounter difficulties when backup systems are inadequate.
• Declining confidence in infrastructure: frequent power outages undermine investor confidence and hamper economic growth.

Load shedding demonstrates how crucial a reliable energy supply is for economic stability, social development, and the daily functioning of people and businesses.

Load shedding in South Africa

In South Africa, load shedding has become a recurring phenomenon since December 2014. Although initially limited to a few hours during the evening rush hour, it is now a daily reality. This has a direct impact on the economy: the growth forecast has been revised down to just 2%, down from previous forecasts.

Companies in the manufacturing industry, which rely heavily on a stable power supply, suffer production losses and higher production costs. As power outages become more common, you as a manufacturer, business owner or consumer are forced to look for alternatives, such as backup generators or battery storage systems.

These investments in emergency solutions add cost and complexity. Meanwhile, the uncertain energy supply continues to not only hinder growth and innovation, but also undermine overall confidence in the country's infrastructure.

The role of Eskom

Eskom is the largest electricity supplier in South Africa and plays a central role in the creation and implementation of load shedding. As a state-owned company, Eskom has struggled for years with aging power plants, inadequate maintenance and financial challenges. These factors often prevent power generation from meeting growing demand, creating the potential for grid overload.

Due to fluctuations in available capacity and peak voltage, Eskom must perform regularly scheduled shutdowns to protect the grid. This is usually done according to a schedule so that residents and businesses can make some preparation.

Yet as a business owner or resident, you remain dependent on a volatile power supply. This uncertainty inhibits both economic growth and investment because stable power supply is a key prerequisite for thriving industry and reliable infrastructure.

Is there a solution to load shedding?

Although load shedding poses a complex challenge for many countries, there are certainly solutions and alternatives that can alleviate the pressure on the electricity grid. An important step is to increase production capacity, for example by investing in sustainable energy solutions such as solar and wind energy.

These sources not only offer a cleaner way to generate electricity, but they also reduce dependence on fossil fuels and centrally controlled power suppliers.

In addition, battery storage systems allow you to better respond to peak voltages and fluctuations in electricity consumption. By storing energy at times of excess capacity and deploying it at a later time, you gain more control over your own energy supply. This reduces the risk of grid overload and provides a more stable power supply, even in areas where the infrastructure cannot always meet demand.

Should we worry about load shedding in Europe?

The likelihood of large-scale load shedding in Europe is currently low. Europe's energy infrastructure is generally well developed and intensively monitored and maintained. As a result, the supply of electricity almost always remains in balance with demand. Moreover, many countries on the European continent work closely together through grid interconnections, allowing shortages in one area to be met by additional capacity from another area.

Still, it is wise to stay alert. Extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen situations can also put pressure on the grid. Investing in alternative energy sources and innovative battery storage systems, such as those offered by Frax, will keep the energy grid more resilient to peak and emergency situations. So you can rely on a stable and continuous energy supply with peace of mind.

Combat load shedding with Frax solutions

Load shedding underscores the importance of a flexible, reliable, and future-proof energy storage system. By using energy generation and storage intelligently, the pressure on the electricity grid can be significantly reduced. Energy storage systems play a key role in this, as they enable companies to optimize their energy consumption, smooth out peak loads, and be less dependent on the grid.

Frax's battery energy storage systems enable companies to store energy when it is readily available and use it at times of high demand or grid load. This results in lower energy costs, greater control over consumption, and a direct contribution to reducing load shedding. By reducing the load on the electricity grid, these solutions contribute to a more stable energy supply for everyone.