The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) is proposing to implement a new 16-stage loadshedding system, if approved, this new system could change loadshedding as we know it.
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The proposed new system is on Nersa’s website for public feedback- titled NRS 048-9 Electricity Supply – Quality of Supply: Code of Practice – Load reduction practices, system restoration practices, and critical load and essential load requirements under system emergencies. And explains the extent of load reduction necessary to restore system stability during supply constraints would be determined based on the prevailing conditions of the power grid.
Following the public consultations, the document will be used to conclude the development of what will be officially referred to as Edition 3 of the NRS 048-9 Code of Practice.
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Loadshedding stages under the new proposed system in South Africa
Currently, the general understanding is that each loadshedding stage corresponds to the removal of 1,000MW of power from the grid but Nersa is now proposing a system of ‘percentage of demand’ – the percentages range from 5% of demand at stage 1 to 80% at stage 16, each stage represent increments of 5% relative to the overall demand.
For instance, Stage 1 would involve disconnecting a sufficient number of users to offset 5% of the total demand, while Stage 16 would involve disconnecting enough users to offset 80%.
As reported by Business Tech, Vally Padayachee, who chairs the management committee of the National Rationalised Specifications (NRS) Association of South Africa, said the new loadshedding system aims to safeguard the grid from collapsing, especially beyond the eighth stage of loadshedding.
According to the existing guidelines, in the event of a stage 8 occurrence, system operators nationwide must initiate emergency procedures to avert a grid collapse. While Padayachee acknowledged the competence of these operators, he pointed out that the current system leaves room for human error, thereby elevating the risk.
He mentioned that the suggested loadshedding plan would eliminate the potential for human error, and it’s designed to handle up to stage 16.
Padayachee added that South Africa is highly unlikely to ever reach stage 16, which would necessitate an 80% shutdown of the grid. He clarified that the inclusion of stage 16 is a precautionary measure, demonstrating the NRS’s prudent approach in considering the unintended consequences of loadshedding.
The new percentage-based system is obtained by projecting peak demand, factoring in a reserve margin of approximately 2,500 MW, deducting the curtailment load of 7,000 MW from key customers and then dividing this value to determine the loadshedding stage.
Padayachee highlighted that South Africans may potentially experience reduced loadshedding as the margin is reduced through this new system.
Members of the public and various stakeholders have the opportunity to submit their comments on the new proposed loadshedding system by 22 September 2023. Following this deadline, all comments will be gathered and carefully considered in the process of reaching a final decision on the proposed changes.
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