Eskom has conceded that although it claimed to have suspended load shedding and saved billions of rands on burning diesel, the power utility conceded that hundreds of thousands of its customers were experiencing similar patterns of load shedding.
In a media statement issued on August 30, the giant power supply announced that loadshedding suspension remained as it celebrated its 156 days of “constant energy supply and R11.08 billion reduction in diesel expenditure achieved”.
Last weekend, the institution told the Sunday Independent that while it had suspended load shedding, Eskom was implementing load reduction to protect its infrastructure and prevent public safety hazards.
It said this was because the constant overloading of the electricity network had caused extensive damage to Eskom’s infrastructure, which led to costly repairs and extended outages that affected all customers, including those who were illegally connected.
Asked why load reduction had similar outage patterns, the Eskom Media desk said “Load reduction is a last-resort measure implemented to save Eskom’s equipment and ensure that customers continue to receive electricity.”
“Various areas in all the provinces are affected by load reduction. It is to be noted that 5% of the 7 million Eskom customers are currently experiencing load reduction,” they said.
This meant that three hundred and fifty thousand (350 000) verified Eskom customers were without electricity as Eskom switched off their lights in hopes of protecting the institution’s infrastructure.
A Mbombela resident who identified herself as Mrs Drayer told the publication that she lived in a small farm community and that they were experiencing load reduction for four hours every second day.
“All of us are paying into our Eskom account. If we don't pay, Eskom comes to our houses and cuts our electricity. I live between two townships of KaNyamazane and KaMagugu. We have load reduction every second day from 5 am to 7 am and 5 pm to 7 pm in the evening,” she said.
According to Eskom, Stage 1 load shedding means that up to 1000MW of capacity needed to be shed and consumers can expect to be shed up to 3 times over four days for two hours at a time, or 3 times over eight days for four hours at a time.
The institution also dismissed allegations that its planned outages were, as alleged, a deliberate crisis created to milk Eskom of its funds.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) councillor in Johannesburg Yongama Zigebe in July describing load reduction as a “critical economy and social issue.”
“The residents of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality are facing severe challenges due to the recent implementation of electricity load reduction, which is critically affecting the economic hub of South Africa.
“Load reduction has been particularly devastating for small businesses, especially those operating in predominantly black communities such as townships. Areas like Alexandra, Soweto, Ivory Park, Fourways, Cosmo City, Diepsloot, Randburg, and many other areas of Jo’burg are bearing the brunt of these power interruptions. The economic impact is profound as these areas house numerous small businesses that rely heavily on a consistent electricity supply. Without it, they face operational disruptions, loss of income, and potential closure, further exacerbating unemployment and economic instability in these vulnerable communities.
“We cannot continue to subject our people to these hardships. The government and its entities must act responsibly and transparently, ensuring that all residents have access to reliable electricity without facing arbitrary and confusing terminologies for ongoing issues,” he said.
Zigebe proposed that the city immediately implement five measures to address the issue:
- Improve Infrastructure: Invest in upgrading and maintaining the power distribution infrastructure to prevent technical losses and ensure reliable electricity supply.
- Increase Transparency: City Power and Eskom must provide clear and transparent communication about the causes of load reduction and the steps to mitigate it.
- Promote Energy Efficiency: Encourage businesses and residents to adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies to reduce overall demand on the grid.
- Develop Alternative Energy Sources: Invest in renewable energy sources and decentralized power generation solutions to diversify the energy supply and reduce dependence on a single source.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Improve coordination between City Power, Eskom, and other stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to addressing the power supply challenges.
He concluded by encouraging the residents of the City of Johannesburg to demand “immediate action” to resolve the load reduction and to ensure that all communities enjoyed stable and reliable electricity.
Sunday Independent
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za