The City is urging its electricity customers to cut their usage and switch off appliances before load-shedding to ease pressure on Eskom’s power supply as it comes under growing strain during the colder months.
“We are already seeing the impact of the colder and shorter days with Eskom not being able to meet the demand,” said mayoral committee member for energy Beverley van Reenen.
The City planned to provide load-shedding protection of up to two stages during the day until 10pm, where possible, she said.
The City had noted new trends associated with the colder temperatures, when power usage was usually higher, she said.
“For instance, if electrical appliances aren’t switched off prior to load-shedding, it could take longer to restore power after load-shedding. This is as the ‘come back’ load is much too high to restore at once. If everyone’s electrical appliances and lights have been left on prior to load shedding, it causes surges and further outages when everything comes back on at the same time. We ask customers to please switch off prior to load shedding.”
Visit www.capetown.gov.za or www.savingelectricity.org.za for more information.
