Load shedding is one of the biggest issues facing South African businesses. And, as we all continue to work through the energy crisis, it makes sense to think about how the resulting downtime affects your productivity and bottom line. 

After all, South Africa might be facing its worst year of load shedding, according to an article published on News24. The country has already experienced load shedding equal to more than 90% of the energy shed for the whole of 2021, as revealed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Your business’s ability to protect itself from the disruption of a load shedding could be your competitive advantage. In this article, we’ll go over a few of the most important alternative energy solutions to include in your blackout-proof plan for 2022 and beyond. 

Partner with an energy solutions provider you can trust

Look for a supplier that has the knowledge and expertise to ensure you get the best load shedding solutions. You will want a company that you can trust to meet whatever energy needs your business has. 

When searching for an energy solutions provider, it’s best to do your homework. One reliable way to vet a supplier is by looking at their case studies. You may also want to speak with current clients who can tell you about their own experience with the supplier. 

Not only will it give you an indication of the quality of service that they provide, but also will prevent you from wasting both time and money on a company that isn’t experienced to deal with alternative energy deployment. 

Equally important is choosing a supplier you know will be around for the long haul.  The more committed your provider is to the relationship, the easier your energy journey will be. You can rest assured that no technical- or knowledge issues will prevent you from a successful migration. 

Choose the right energy solutions for your business

Each energy solution has its own benefits and strengths, so you need to make sure that the solution you choose supports your requirements. 

For example, if you have employees working from home and you need them to be online during a power outage, you might want to consider a portable backup power system. This plug-and-play solution is chargeable and can power low current appliances such as a desktop PC and router through load shedding hours. 

A backup generator is suited to industrial businesses or large companies that need to run power-intensive loads. What’s great about this energy solution is that it automatically turns on when it detects a power outage. This way, your business processes can remain operational even over extended periods of power cuts.

With solar power, you can take advantage of the maximum amount of renewable electricity produced by your solar panels to use during times of low solar output or a power outage. This is the ideal solution if you also need tracking and energy consumption optimisation to conserve usage in a building – something that a solar power solution’s energy management system can provide.

If you’re unsure of which solution will work best for you, your supplier should be playing the role of a trusted advisor and make the best recommendations for your organisation. 

Consider the cost of the energy solutions

Load shedding solutions for your business are accessible via a range of price points. You should factor in what your needs are when determining how much you’re willing to pay. However, the cost of these solutions shouldn’t hold you back. 

If you cannot afford an upfront, once-off fee, speak to your supplier who will be able to offer you a rental option. A power purchase agreement is another possibility – it is a contract in which the solar PV system is installed at no cost if you pay for the electricity produced. This will be at a cheaper kilowatt per hour rate than the national grid. 

Start with a scalable energy solution

To avoid becoming a victim of rolling out too much too quickly, it’s recommended that you gradually build up your energy independence. Unless your business can really afford to go all in on the most advanced alternative energy solution, the most sensible plan would be to transition your business from one solution to another over a period. 

For example, you may want to start with an entry-level solution like battery backup and expand on that in the future with a generator and eventually solar solution. Thus, when selecting your supplier, you need to make sure that their solutions can grow and evolve with your business. 

A final word on Nashua’s energy solutions

With the uncertainty in the country due to continued load shedding, business owners have no choice but to embrace alternative energy solutions to continue their operations during power outages. These solutions have enabled a considerable number of businesses to generate their own power or cut their electricity bill, so it’s certainly something your business should consider.