Metro takes proactive steps to mitigate the impact of load-shedding

The mayor of Ekurhuleni, Tania Campbell and the MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, Senzi Sibeko visited the construction site of the Zestfontein Solar PV Project, which is expected to, upon completion, bring 90 Megawatts (MW) into Ekurhuleni’s power grid.

Along with the other solar PV projects in the city, which are at various stages of completion, the total self-generated power supply will be enough to offset Stage One load-shedding.

“This past week, high levels of load-shedding have taken a tremendous toll on residents of the City of Ekurhuleni, its infrastructure and the economy.
“Under the multi-party coalition government, the city is taking practical steps to move away from its reliance on Eskom,” said mayoral spokesperson Warren Gwilt.

Gwilt pointed out that earlier in the year, the city lost R2b due to Stage Six load-shedding.

“To continue relying solely on Eskom would be naïve.
“Eskom has approached the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) requesting a proposed 32 per cent electricity tariff increase for next year. We oppose this increase as residents cannot afford this extortionate tariff hike. We encourage residents to exercise their rights and submit their objections to NERSA,” said Campbell.

The mayor said the city will be writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighting the negative impact load-shedding has had on the city and residents.

“I will also write to NERSA expressing our opposition to this increased proposal as our overburdened and stretched residents cannot afford this increase.
“This administration is taking proactive steps to ensure that residents of Ekurhuleni are shielded from the impact of load-shedding and its knock-on effects.

“We categorically oppose Eskom’s exorbitant price hikes and are working tirelessly to create a self-generated energy network. We encourage residents and businesses who have self-generated, excess energy, to approach the city to feedback into the grid,” said Campbell.

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