Powerful tips to help you power through loadshedding

by Johana Mukandila

May is National Energy Month in South Africa, ironically, this means loadshedding will inevitably ratchet up a couple of stages during winter.

Loadshedding is a reality that nobody’s happy about. But unless you have the money for generators, solar installations, or other expensive alternatives, the reality is that you are at risk of losing power for periods of time until the country’s energy supply eventually stabilises.

Here are a few ways to strategise and minimise the blow of loadshedding, while also making the most of the electrical downtime. 

Invest in the right equipment

  • Alternate power: If you can afford it, buy a generator or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).  A UPS is a device that allows a computer to keep running for at least a short time when incoming power is interrupted. As long as utility power is flowing, it also replenishes and maintains the energy storage. The more energy stored, the longer power can be maintained. The differences among UPS systems lie in the technology that enables them to do their jobs.
  • Surge protectors: A surge protector is an appliance or device intended to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes in alternating current (AC) circuits. Surge protectors will help minimise the risk of power surges damaging precious equipment when the power comes back on. It is also super affordable. 
  • Cooking/heating food: To ensure that you can still cook or heat food and liquids during loadshedding, it is best that you invest in a solar cooker or a 2-plate gas stove.
  • Lighting: Buy or make solar-powered emergency lights, use a torch or LED lantern, or some good, old-fashioned candles. A lamp chimney is also a cheap yet valuable investment to minimise the risk of accidental fires in case a candle falls over.
  •  Know your loadshedding schedule: Eskom provides the country with a schedule. It is also advised to check your loadshedding schedule often as the stages change.  

Here are places to check for your loadshedding schedule:

Also see: Why fibre is essential in South Africa