Local newsNews
Load shedding on the cards again
JOBURG - ANOTHER series of load shedding is on the cards again as Eskom revealed that the power system is expected to come under severe strain from this week.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2015/01/Eskom4Medium_612434025_1843061_4674269_2023918.jpg)
The company’s media personnel, Khulu Phasiwe said, “No load shedding is planned for this week, but the power system remains strained.
This means that the system remains vulnerable, meaning that any extra load or faults in the system may necessitate the need to implement load shedding.”
However, Phasiwe said load shedding will only be used as a last resort in order to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout. He said customers can avoid the risk of load shedding by using electricity sparingly at all times.
![A graph indicating a forecast of how much power will be used and how much power will be available this week.](https://alexnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/Capture-423x175.jpg)
Phasiwe also urged consumers to use some energy-saving tips which are:
- Unplug all appliances such as computers, coffee machines, TV sets and entertainment consoles.
- Fix leaky taps as allowing water, especially hot water, to drip down the drain wastes both water and electricity.
- Replace conventional outdoor lights with motion-sensor lamps for security as they use less electricity because they only activate when the sensor is triggered.
- Switch to solar-powered garden lights as they use the energy of the sun and give your electricity a rest.
- Make sure the back-up batteries on your electric fencing and intruder detection system are in optimal working order; replace them if necessary.
- Set your pool pump to operate for four hours per day – it is enough to keep the pool clean while it is not being used.
- And, lastly, make sure the pool pump is set to run outside the hours of 5pm to 9pm.