The residents of Tsutsumani Ext 8 have finally received light back on the streets and their homes warmed as City Power finally resolved the power outage problem in the area on Friday 6 July.
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This was after the area was struck by power outages caused by a faulty cable on a chilli Monday night, 2 July. Residents had to use candles to light their homes and paraffin stoves to cook for their families.
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According to City Power spokesperson Sol Masolo, “Power outages in Tsutsumani Ext 8 were caused by a cable fault which resulted from overloading of the local mini-substation as the network is currently constrained.”
Masolo has urged all City Power customers to use electricity sparingly and apply the following measures:
- Switch off electricity when not in use
- Use or change to energy efficient appliances and lighting (CFL’s, LED lights, infrared heaters, etc.)
- Use alternative energy sources (solar heating and gas)
- Set your pool pump to run for shorter periods
- Switch off lights in unoccupied rooms
- Use electric blankets to pre-heat the bed for approximately 15 minutes (Do not sleep with electric blankets on)
- Dress warmly and use fleece blankets
- Preferably change your curtains to thicker and dark colours that retain more heat
- Make use of a geyser blanket
- Use an appropriately sized pot for each plate when you’re cooking, using a small pot on a large plate will waste electricity.
- Let plenty of warm sunlight in during the day by keeping curtains open wide but close them as soon as the sun sets to seal in all the warmth.
- Use or change to oil heaters or wall heaters (open spaces are more difficult to heat).
