With load shedding back in rotation and likely to remain for the following months, businesses, especially small businesses, need to be prepared for doing business in the dark if they want to survive. Below we have put together a business load shedding survival kit.

Know your Schedule

Knowing when load shedding will hit is the first step to being prepared. If you know when load shedding is likely to happen it will be easier for you to plan your business activities for the day, this will enable you to schedule task that don’t require electricity during load shedding times. Mobile apps such as Eskom se Push and Gridwatch come in handy when it comes to load shedding forecasts and notifications. Alternatively you can also find your suburbs load shedding schedule on the Eskom website.

Load Shedding Preparation

To continue working during load shedding, there are a few things you can do to prepare:

  • Fully charge appliances: Before load shedding hits be sure to fully charge all appliances such as laptops, cell phones, portable phones as well as your card machine if you can operate during the power outage. Alternatively, it might be a good idea to invest in back up batteries.
  • Back-up data: If your business is mostly computer-based it is crucial to frequently back up data and have measures in place that will keep your data safe and secure. An even better idea is to continuously work online on a platform such as Drobox so information can be readily available online, even when the power goes out.
  • Surge protection: Electrical surges or spikes can occur when the electricity supply is being switched on or off, these surges can in turn cause damage to electronic equipment and machinery. The easiest way to avoid damage to appliances and equipment from power surges is to invest in surge protection multiplugs.
  • Keep refrigerators/freezers closed: If you run a store where the majority of your produce or stock is stored in fridges and freezer it is a good idea to keep their doors closed in order to reduce the risk of produce spoiling. Produce in a closed refrigerator should remain cold for 4-6 hours and can last around 2 days in a closed freezer. If customers are dependent on the produce in your refrigerators/freezer and doors are constantly being opened it might be time to invest in alternative power supply options.

Invest in Alternative Power Supply Options

If you run a business that needs full time power to operate such as a retail store or manufacturing plant, then it might be time to invest in alternative power supply options.

  • Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): A uninterrupted power supply (UPS) is a quick and more affordable power supply alternative. Ranging from smaller machines powerful enough to keep your computer running, to larger units that will enable you to keep the doors of your store open by powering your point of sales device, computer, and tills. It is important to do your research in terms of what you need to have powered and what unit will be sufficient for your needs.
  • Generator: Generators are also a great (although a tad more expensive) alternative power solution. Once again there are several options out there from 2KW, strong enough to power lights and basic appliances all the way to 5KW which can power all the necessities for running a retail store. Careful research needs to be done to ensure you pick the right generator for your needs.
  • Solar power: If you are really serious about alternative power solutions and you’ve got a couple of bucks to spend then solar power is the way to go. A number of solar power options are currently available, from basic solutions that can keep your lights running and your laptop charged to expensive solutions that will take you completely off-grid, meaning that you will not be dependant on Eskom for power.

For a small business, load shedding can definitely be disruptive and frustrating, but with a little planning and a solid strategy in place it is possible for your business to remain open and trading during power outages.