ETHEKWINI Municipality has again been advised by the power utility, Eskom, to implement stage two load shedding until 10pm on 5 February.
“The power system remains constrained and will remain so for the rest of this week. Any extra load or faults in the system may necessitate the need to go into load shedding. We therefore urge all customers to reduce their electricity consumption in order to reduce the severity of load shedding,” eThekwini said.
Commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, are urged to switch off non-essential lights and not to leave office equipment such as photocopiers and computers on standby mode after hours.
In terms of load shedding per block, the schedule is always followed; however, there are technical difficulties that can result in block mismatches and customers finding their power not going off at the stated time. This is usually caused by the following:
ALTERNATE CONNECTIONS TO SUBSTATIONS
The network is designed to have different connections to every substation.
This ensures that under fault conditions, an alternate supply can be used to provide electricity to the affected substation while the fault is being fixed. The alternate supply is generally from a neighbouring area. Due to this dual connection, it allows for electricity to be speedily restored under fault conditions. However, this creates difficulty in block allocations during load shedding.
A customer can technically receive their electricity from the substation within their area or the neighbouring area. Due to the dynamic nature of the electricity system, supply arrangements will change based on faults, maintenance programmes and so on.
“This results in block changes for an area. Every effort is being made to ensure that supplies are restored to their normal configuration preventing block changes and confusion,” the municipality said.
Call centre agents on the number 080 1313 1111, are only equipped to log faults and cannot assist residents in establishing which block they fall under in the load shedding grid.
Only municipal technicians have access to the Geographic Information System, and customers can email custocare@elec.durban.gov.za with their name, home address and contact details. The email will be sent to the relevant technician who will respond to the customer.
BLOCK A
Hillary, Malvern, Moseley, Northdene, Queensburgh, Sea View
BLOCK B
Mariannhill Mission, Mariannheights, Mariannhill Industrial, Mariannridge
BLOCK E
Berkshire Downs, Chesterville, Padfield Park, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Pinetown, Pinetown Water Services, Pinetown West, The Wolds
BLOCK F
Assagay, Berea West, Botha’s Hill, Embo, Hillcrest, Hilldene, Hilltop Gardens, KwaNyuswa, Westriding, Winston Park
BLOCK H
Chiltern Hills, Clermont, KwaDabeka, New Germany, Westville North
BLOCK J
Ashley, Atholl Heights, Blair Atholl, Camelot, Cowies Hill, Crestholme, Crestview, Dawncliffe, Dawncrest, Everton, Farningham Ridge, Forest Hills, Gillitts, Hatton Estate, Kloof, Molweni, Pinelands, Pinetown Industrial, Sarnia, UKZN Westville, Underwood Road, Waterfall, Westville Central, Woodside, Wyebank
BLOCK L
Mariannridge
BLOCK M
Northdene, Sarnia
BLOCK N
Clermont
BLOCK R
New Germany
STAGE 2:
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, SUNDAY
Block B: 6am to 8.30am
Block L: 8am to 10.30am
Block M: 10am to 12.30pm
Block E and N: Noon to 2.30pm
Block F: 2pm to 4.30pm
Block H: 6pm to 8.30pm
Block J and R: 8pm to 10.30pm
TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY
Block B: 2pm to 4.30pm
Block L: 4pm to 6.30pm
Block M: Noon to 2.30pm
Block E: 10am to 12.30pm
Block F: 6pm to 8.30pm
Block J and R: 6am to 8.30am
