This winter, power cuts could be organized in France: these “load shedding” should make it possible to deal with energy tensions, in particular amplified by the war in Ukraine. A priori, with the exception of certain priority areas (hospitals, police stations, etc.), all French geographical areas will be concerned.
Yes, but here it is: on French territory, some people are (sometimes entirely) dependent on electric current for their health. This is particularly the case for patients who suffer from sleep apnea: in 2018, around 1 million of them were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), an (electric!) device that guarantees good breathing throughout long night.
Power outages should not occur overnight
Are sleep apnea patients treated with CPAP threatened by “load shedding”? No, say the authorities. Indeed: firstly, power cuts will be concentrated in the time slots corresponding to peak consumption, that is to say between 8 am and 1 pm and between 6 pm and 8 pm. Second, the “load shedding” should (in theory) not last more than 2 hours.
“Shedding is not allowed on weekends, only very rarely in the evening after 8 p.m. and never at night, except in exceptional circumstances” specifies the official Vie Publique website. In addition, “when a load shedding device is planned, users are informed the day before around 5 p.m.”. What to do in case of concern…
Source :Public Life
