Eskom announces widespread power cuts
Power utility Eskom says that it has started implementing load reduction in areas where local grids are overloaded due to the onset of winter.
The utility stressed that load reduction is not load shedding, as sufficient capacity remains available. However, on a local level, overloaded infrastructure like transformers can lead to a domino effect of blowouts, which needs to be prevented.
The colder weather this week has exacerbated the situation.
“During the winter season, there is an exponential increase in energy demand in areas prone to electricity theft, as electricity is often used indiscriminately, leading to network failure due to extreme overloading,” Eskom said.
There are currently around 2,111 transformers which are frequently overloaded across the country at risk of being damaged, with around 900 transformers awaiting replacement.
This issue is prevalent in the Eskom supply areas in:
- Limpopo
- Western Cape
- Eastern Cape
- Gauteng
- Mpumalanga
- KwaZulu-Natal
- North West
“About 94% of the total overloaded transformers are in these areas as a result of electricity theft and indiscriminate use of electricity.
“Despite continued public information campaigns to customers about the implications of electricity theft activities, Eskom has no other option but to implement load reduction to protect its assets from repeated failures and explosions, which pose a risk to human lives,” the group said.
Monde Bala, Eskom Executive for Distribution, said that load reduction is only implemented as a last resort and for the shortest periods possible.
Load reduction has been in effect in the City of Joburg for some time already, implemented by the local utility, City Power, for some of the same reasons.
“A transformer damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months; protecting Eskom’s assets is in the best interest of all South Africans,” Bala said.
In areas where load reduction will be implemented, the relevant cluster or province will communicate with affected customers through normal channels, including SMS and Customer Connect newsletters.
The electricity theft activities are wide-ranging and include illegal connections, network equipment theft, vandalism, meter bypasses and tampering, unauthorised network operations and purchasing electricity from illegal vendors.
Overloading of the transformers is recorded mainly during peak hours around 07h00 and 05h00 in the morning and 17h00 to 19h00 in the evening.
Eskom highlighted these main points about load reduction:
- Load reduction is not load shedding.
- Load reduction is implemented in areas identified as high-risk due to increased energy
consumption. - Implementation will occur during peak hours when demand is highest.
- Communication with customers will be maintained.
- Efforts will be made to restore full power as quickly as possible once the risk decreases.
- Customers should not report faults during load reduction periods and should treat all installations
as live and dangerous.
“While Eskom aims to exclude paying customers from load reduction, the network’s configuration does not allow for dedicated supply lines to paying customers, making it impractical to service them separately.
“To prevent load reduction and abrupt loss of supply, customers are urged to reduce their consumption, ensure that the electricity they consume is legally connected, paid for, and purchased from legal vendors, and to report illegal activities. Additionally, customers are encouraged to switch off nonessential appliances, such as heaters and geysers, and use alternative heating methods,” the group said.
Loading ...
