In 2024, the NRS Association published a Code of Practice for load reduction practices, system restoration practices, and critical load and essential load requirements under power system emergencies (link).

Anyone commercially interested in loadshedding and grid failure (such as non-life insurers) will gain from looking at the document, even if not the whole 90 pages. It explains a lot about the restoration of supply to all customers after a significant system incident or blackout, which could take days or weeks. The order in which restoration takes place is also discussed. The document contains a helpful introduction and useful definitions. You won’t find “grid failure” but you will find “emergency … national load reduction” for instance.

The document was approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 08 March 2024.