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Eskom load reduction: Four provinces affected on Saturday 22 August
Eskom said on Saturday 22 August that it would be implementing load reduction in four provinces to prevent the network from overloading. Here’s what you need to know.
Image via Adobe Stock
Eskom announced on Saturday 22 August that load reduction will be implemented across South Africa once again to “avoid overloading the network and damage to our infrastructure in high-density areas”.
No load reduction will be implemented in Gauteng today but the following provinces will be affected.
Eskom load reduction — Saturday 22 August
Load reduction will be implemented in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal between 17:00 and 21:00. The power utility urges residents to switch off all electrical appliances during this time.
Limpopo
For Limpopo, Eskom wishes to notify customers in Mopani District that it will implement load reduction in the following areas:
| Point / Feeder name | Affected areas |
| Makhutswi / Legalameetsi Part A | Ofcolaco, Wild Hawk Farm, Pu-Toit Farm, Living Waters Farm, Loofdal, Nasionale, and portions of Trichardtsdal. |
Mpumalanga
Eskom also warned that load reduction will be implemented in Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga, due to the same issues as mentioned above. It’s suggested that residents switch off and unplug appliances during this time.
The following areas in the Ehlanzeni District will be affected:
- Health Centre, Springs, Shangaanhill, Matengteng, Mandela
- Orinoco A, Hlamalani, Chris Hani, Ndlamakhosi,Baromeng, Orinoco B, Orinoco C, Demulani, Sibambayani
- Garelane, Voilet Bank, Rainbow, Majembeni, Shalden
- Bulk point of supply at KC29/1, Sucrose substation
- Matsulu and three camps in Kruger National Park
- Arthurstone, Tsuvulan, and New Forest
KwaZulu-Natal
Eskom said it is “currently […] battling to keep up with the increased equipment failure” in the area, and that it is “costing millions to repair”. Therefore, load reduction will be implemented during peak hours on Saturday.
“Overloading of networks lead to damage to the electricity infrastructure through explosions in overloaded transformers and mini substations”.
| Point / Feeder name | Areas affected |
| Emnambithi / Ladysmith | Ezakheni |
| Ethekwini | Sterkspruit |
| Hlabisa, Mfolozi, Mtubatuba, Ntambanana | Ntuthunga, Canaan, Dondota, Dondotsha, Embaba, Homeleigh Estate, Juba, Khangelani, Klonge, Kwamtetwa, Lunguza, Makhube, Mbude, Mfuyeni, Nkwazene, Rietbokrand, Sabhuza, Silveroak Estate, Volamahlo, Settlers, Buya, Wag-‘n-Bietjie |
| Maphumulo, Umvoti | Mountain View, Ntunjambili, Untunjambili Mission, Cairndhuna, Drunten Ranch, East Slopes, Linklater |
| Msunduzi | Ashdown, Phayiphini, Imbali, Mount Partridge, Edendale, KwaPata, Sitebisi, Slangspruit, Blackiston |
| uMhlatuze | Madlanghala, Bhiliya, Ndleleni |
Free State
Eskom urges residents not to log faults during the reduction period, and to treat all installations as live. The following areas in Lejweleputswa District in the Free State will be affected.
| Point / Feeder name | Areas affected |
| Bahale SW Stn – Beta | Part of Maditshakane |
| Bahale SW Stn – Charlie | Part of Maditshakane |
| Bahale SW Stn – Delta | Part of Maditshakane |
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