Load shedding
What is load shedding?
Load shedding is a process where energy distributors intentionally lower the electricity supply in specific areas by temporarily turning off power. All electricity networks use load shedding where necessary to deal with significant imbalances between the available supply and demand. The term has become increasingly familiar to many Australians as energy demand has increased, particularly in recent years.
The primary purpose of load shedding is to balance supply and demand in the electricity system when demand exceeds available power; by turning off electricity in some network portions, other areas can continue receiving power, preventing an overall system failure.
Why does load shedding happen?
Load shedding usually occurs when electricity demand exceeds supply as a last-resort strategy for balancing power demand and supply across the National Electricity Market. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which oversees load shedding, is in charge of preserving the stability and security of the National Electricity Market, Western Australia , Victoria and New South Wales.
Some of the most common reasons for load shedding are:
- Extreme weather events: During heatwaves or cold spells, the demand for electricity rises as households use air conditioning or heating more frequently.
- Power plant failures: If a large electricity generator, power station or transmission line fails or is unexpectedly shut down, it might restrict the available electricity supply, requiring load shedding.
- Grid maintenance or issues: Whether planned or unexpected, power grid maintenance can restrict supply capacity, necessitating temporary outages.
- Shortages in renewable energy supply: Due to Australia’s increasing reliance on renewable energy sources like solar and wind, supply might occasionally fluctuate. For example, a lack of wind on a hot day could restrict energy output, resulting in a supply-demand imbalance.
When necessary, all electrical networks use load shedding to address significant differences between the supply and demand for electricity. The grid may become unstable if there’s insufficient power supply to meet every customer’s electricity demand; if load shedding is not used, this can damage essential grid equipment, putting more customers out of power for longer periods of time.
How do I check load shedding in my area?
If you depend on power perhaps for a critical service job or life supporting healthcare equipment, it can be handy to know when load shedding might happen. Here’s how to see if your location is affected:
- AEMO: They frequently issue updates and warnings about impending shortages and manual load-shedding events. You can visit AEMO for the latest updates on load shedding.1
- Energy provider websites: Many energy companies provide real-time information regarding load-shedding occurrences or outages on their websites or mobile apps.2
- Local news and alerts: During severe weather or power outages, local news outlets frequently report on areas affected by load shedding.
- Mobile apps: Some energy companies and government agencies provide apps that inform residents about outages or planned load shedding
More about load shedding
Advantages of load shedding
Although losing power is unpleasant for everyone, load shedding events have several benefits by preventing more severe consequences:
- Grid stability: Load shedding balances the supply and demand for power, preventing the entire grid system from failing. A widespread blackout would take far longer to resolve than localised, managed outages.
- Overload prevention: It minimises the chances of overloading power plants and substations, lowering the risk of equipment damage.
- Avoiding complete blackouts: Load shedding prevents a complete and protracted blackout, which could impact hospitals, vital infrastructure and other services by managing and restricting outages.
How are areas selected for load shedding?
The process of selecting which areas to load shed involves careful planning by grid operators and energy providers.
These organisations must carefully select locations for load shedding based on real-time electricity demand, location and the grid’s capacity to supply nearby areas.
Grid managers, like AEMO, monitor supply and demand in real-time. If demand in a given area surpasses supply, they select the least disruptive locations for load shedding.1 Each grid section is selected based on its ability to handle outages without creating significant disturbance. To spread the inconvenience of load shedding, impacted locations are frequently cycled. This means that no neighbourhood will be disproportionately affected.
Hospitals, emergency services and important transportation hubs are examples of areas that are generally exempt from load shedding.3
What to do during load shedding?
If you’re affected by load shedding, you can take the following precautions for your safety and to minimise inconvenience:
- Stay informed and check with your energy supplier for updates. Many businesses provide real-time information on outages and projected restoration periods via their websites and applications. Local media outlets and energy distributors may also notify you through SMS.
- During the outage, unplug sensitive electrical appliances such as laptops, televisions and game consoles to avoid potential damage from power surges when the power is restored.
- Avoid using noncritical appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, pool pumps and air conditioning/heating.
- Keep a battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries and non-perishable food on hand in case the outages last longer than expected. Consider using portable phone chargers to keep your devices charged for communication.
- If you rely on electricity for life-support medical equipment, ensure you have a backup power source, such as a generator or battery, in case of an extended power outage.
- Once electricity is restored, avoid using numerous high-energy appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines or electric ovens immediately. This may lessen the likelihood of another outage by preventing further strain on the grid.
How long will my power be off?
The intensity of the power outage and the circumstances influencing the electrical grid might affect how long load shedding lasts. According to state electricity distributors such as Ausnet, Citi Power, and SA Power Networks, load-shedding disruptions often last between 30 minutes and 2 hours.2,4,5 However, in more extreme cases, electricity may be turned off for an extended time, although this is uncommon.
Grid operators try to restore power to impacted areas as soon as possible, and the exact duration will be determined by how quickly the supply and demand balance is restored.
Meet our energy expert, Meredith O’Brien
As the Head of Energy at Compare the Market, Meredith O’Brien believes in educating Australian customers about the everchanging gas and electricity market so they can adjust their energy usage habits and get the most out of their energy plans.
Meredith has six years within the energy industry, following 15 years of experience in financial services and is currently studying a Master of Business Administration. Meredith is a dedicated customer advocate who is passionate about empowering Australians to find the right products to suit their needs by removing the confusion from comparing.
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1Australia Energy Market Operator. Load Shedding. Last updated December 2022. Accessed October 2024.
2AusNet Electricity. Load shedding. Accessed October 2024.
3Endeavour Energy: Planned and unplanned outages. What is load shedding? Accessed October 2024.
4CitiPower. Load Shedding. Accessed October 2024
5SA Power Networks. Load Shedding. Accessed October 2024.