Stage Who? Decoding Gauteng’s Load Shedding Jargon Once and for All

Loadshedding Stages Explained & Jargon Broken Down

What is Load Shedding?

Load shedding is a controlled and scheduled reduction in electricity supply implemented by Eskom and local utilities to prevent a total blackout when demand exceeds supply. It ensures the stability of the national power grid by temporarily cutting power to different areas in rotation.

Advertisement

Understanding Basic Electricity Terms

To better grasp load shedding and how it affects your power supply, it helps to understand some common electricity terms:

• Watt (W): A unit of power that measures the rate of energy use or generation. For example, a 100-watt light bulb uses 100 watts of power.
• Volt (V): The unit measuring electrical potential or “pressure” that pushes current through a circuit. South African homes typically run on around 220 volts.
• Ampere (A): This is the measure of electrical current, indicating how much electricity flows.
• Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): The measurement used by power companies to bill electricity consumption. It represents the use of 1,000 watts over one hour.
• Load Shedding Stage: This refers to the level of power reduction (in megawatts) needed to balance supply and demand, with higher stages meaning more power cuts.
• Circuit Breaker: A safety device that automatically stops electricity flow to prevent damage or fire during overloads.
• Grid: The network of power plants, transformers, and distribution lines that deliver electricity to homes and businesses.

Familiarity with these terms helps you understand news about the power system and communicate effectively with electricians or officials during load shedding events.

Understanding the Jargon

• Load Shedding Stage: Indicates the severity level of power cuts based on the megawatts that need to be shed.
• Shedding: The process of intentionally cutting off power to certain areas.
• Blocks: Scheduled periods during which power will be off.
• Groups: Geographic clusters of consumers affected together during shedding. These may change depending on grid conditions.
• Contingency Stages (5-8): Higher emergency levels implemented during severe supply shortages.

Load Shedding Stages: What Do They Mean?

Eskom organises load shedding into eight stages, with each stage representing the amount of electricity demand it must reduce (measured in megawatts – MW). The higher the stage, the greater the scale and frequency of power outages.

Minimal Load Shedding: Stage 1

• Up to 1,000 MW of electricity is shed.
• Consumers can expect up to 3 power cuts over 4 days, each lasting 2 hours, or 3 over 8 days for 4 hours each.
• This stage represents the least severe load shedding with fewer interruptions.

Increased Frequency of Outages: Stage 2

• Up to 2,000 MW is shed.
• Up to 6 blackouts in 4 days for 2 hours, or 6 in 8 days for 4 hours each.
• Power outages become more frequent.

Noticeable Disruptions: Stage 3

• Up to 3,000 MW of electricity is shaved off the grid.
• There may be 9 cuts over 4 days for 2 hours, or 9 over 8 days for 4 hours each.
• Load shedding is noticeably more disruptive.

Wider Area and Longer Cuts: Stage 4

• Up to 4,000 MW is reduced.
• Consumers may experience 12 outages within 4 days lasting 2 hours or equivalent 4-hour cuts over 8 days.
• This impacts more areas for longer durations.

Severe Load Shedding and Aggressive Reductions: Stage 5 to Stage 8

• Each stage increases capacity reduction by 1,000 MW increments, with Stage 8 involving up to 8,000 MW shed.
• The number of outages and their length progressively increase, often involving multiple daily outages lasting up to 4 hours or more.
• Higher stages mean more severely strained power supply and more aggressive load reduction.

Duration and Frequency: What to Expect

• Load shedding in Gauteng often involves blocks of 2 or 4 hours, depending on your area and the stage.
• Johannesburg areas supplied by Eskom tend to have 4-hour blocks to align with City Power’s schedule.
• Each scheduled outage includes an additional 30 minutes on either end (before and after) for grid safety, meaning block durations can be up to 2.5 or 4.5 hours.
• As stages increase, frequency and length of outages escalate, causing greater disruption.

How Are Areas Selected?

Utilities assign areas to groups to manage demand reduction fairly. During higher stages, more groups are included, meaning more frequent blackouts over larger areas.

Schedule updates are typically announced daily or weekly by Eskom and local authorities via official websites and media.

Tips for Coping with Load Shedding

• Prepare backup power like generators or solar systems for critical needs.
• Adjust daily routines to work or complete tasks during power availability.
• Use energy-efficient appliances to reduce consumption.
• Stay informed through official load shedding schedules.
• Limit use of high-energy appliances during peak times.

Power outages are here to stay, but being prepared makes all the difference. Explore the must-have essentials for staying safe, connected, and comfortable during blackouts. Load Shedding Survival Kits: What Every Gauteng Household Should Have in 2025. Click to learn more.

Load Shedding Explained

Understanding load shedding stages and terminology helps residents and businesses in Gauteng prepare effectively for power outages, mitigating disruption and planning energy use smarter. By decoding the jargon and knowing what to expect at each stage, you can better navigate the challenges of load shedding and protect your home, health, and business in 2025.