UK citizens to experience load shedding like South Africans do

Citizens of the United Kingdom could soon relate to South African frustrations after it was announced that the UK government will be implementing national-wide scheduled blackouts (or as we South Africans call it – load shedding) as a result of a restricted gas supply.

The announcement was made earlier last week, after it was reported that the country’s national grid was facing a potential energy crisis as a result of an alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline.

According to reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin was accused of being behind the sabotage of the Nord Stream lines.

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It is believed that Russia seeks to retaliate against the West for its support of Ukraine.

The UK does not purchase its electricity from Russia directly, but from suppliers around Europe that do.

The blackouts are expected to kick off during the harshest winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, namely January and February.

Meanwhile, businesses in the UK who have seen the dire effects the blackouts have had on South African businesses are now starting to prepare for worst-case scenario.

Mirroring South Africa’s load shedding plan, the UK government plans for a series of three-hour blackouts, with regions of the UK taking turns to experience power outages.

UK power outage schedule to be published

A schedule is also expected to be published soon, and while South Africa calls it ‘stages’, the UK will be calling it levels.

UK’s grid is also divided in line with its postal codes. So, the areas have been assigned different periods of time that will be affected by blackouts.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that resolving the Eskom energy crisis and putting an end to load shedding is one of the most immediate and pressing tasks of the African National Congress.

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South Africans are currently experiencing stage 4 load shedding, with areas experiencing four hours of power outages at a time.

The country has turned to innovative ways to generate power to keep their homes and businesses running.

The country has also stepped up its efforts to harness the power of renewables. President Ramaphosa recently announced that the country has signed agreements with independent power producers for 26 renewable energy projects, which together will generate around 2 800 MW.