Small Free State town pioneered a unique way to protect South Africa’s electricity grid

• Clarens, a small town in the Free State, pioneered a community load curtailment programme through an app to avoid rotational power cuts during load-shedding in 2023.
• The town of Clarens, established in the early 1900s, has a rich history and has developed into a popular tourist destination with a mature tourism economy, including art galleries, luxury accommodation, and outdoor recreational activities.
• The community load curtailment programme in Clarens has set an example for other towns in South Africa to manage their electricity demand and potentially mitigate the impact of load-shedding.