Image via Adobe Stock
Eskom said on Friday 17 July that it would be implementing load reduction in three provinces to prevent the network from overloading. Here’s what you need to know.
Image via Adobe Stock
Eskom announced on Friday 17 July that load reduction will be implemented across South Africa to “prevent network overloading caused by illegal connections, vandalised electricity infrastructure and bypassed meters.
Eskom urges residents to switch off all electrical appliances during load reduction to avoid electrical surges when the power returns.
During the load reduction implementation, customers are urged to switch off all their electrical appliances to avoid power surges when power returns. Failure to do so may lead to transformer trips or failures and damages to household appliances when supply is restored.
These load reduction efforts have become commonplace recently as Eskom tried to avoid reverting to load shedding to manage its network. The power utility began rolling out these blackouts on Youth Day, 16 June 2020.
In Gauteng, load reduction will be implemented from 17:00 to 22:00 in order to “avoid network overloading in high-density areas prone to illegal connections, meter bypasses and vandalism of electricity infrastructure”.
Eskom also warned that load reduction will be implemented in Ehlanzeni District and Nkangala District from 17:00 to 21:00, due to the same issue mentioned above.
Eskom said that while the outages are being implemented, residents should switch off or unplug appliances to avoid electrical surges that may occur when the lights flicker back on.
The embattled power utility also asked that customers refrain from logging faults during the period. The following areas will be affected:
Point / Feeder name | Areas affected |
Nkomazi / Tonga 22kV overhead line | Block A & B, Tonga, Joe Slovo |
Pienaar / Tekwane North 11kV overhead line | Masinga Village, Manyanyatsa, Hillaria, Mamelodi |
Nkomazi / kaMhlushwa 22kV overhead line | kaMhlushwa Am Phosaville, kaMhlushwa B |
Acornhoek / Timbavati 22kV overhead line | Orpen Gate, Okkernootboom A, Kulagaza, Timbavati and Sgagule |
Jerusalem / Mshadza 22kV overhead line | Mshadza |
Kabokweni / Clau Clau 11kV overhead line | Mvangatini and Buyelani, parts of Malekutu |
Buffelspruit / Jeppes Reef 22kV overhead line | Whole of Jeppes Reef and 50% of Schoemansdal |
Amandla / Dennilton 22kV overhead line
In KwaZulu-Natal, load reduction will be implemented during peak evening hours, due to overloading. The power utility warned that “overloading of networks leads to damage to electricity infrastructure through explosions in overloaded transformers and mini-substations.
In addition, it also poses a risk to residents in the area. Eskom stated it is battling to “keep up with the increased equipment failure that is costing millions to repair. Take note, the following areas will be affected: