Residents given insight into load-limiting project

Waterfall and Sunninghill residents recently attended Eskom’s load-limiting project meeting on January 31, at Eskom Megawatt Park.

The power utility invited residents to discuss the implementation of the project in the area.
Eskom’s Gauteng spokesperson, Amanda Qithi said they are rolling out the project across the province after the pilot was successfully implemented in Fourways.

“Load-limiting is part of the Demand Side Management (DSM) initiative to manage and optimise electricity consumption to better balance the supply and demand of electricity on the grid during stages one to four of load-shedding,” Qithi explained.

“The project focuses on select customers with smart meters, as these have the technical functionality to be controlled remotely. The project aims to reduce customers’ electricity capacity from 60/80 Amps to 10 Amps during stages one to four of load-shedding.

“This will allow customers to continue with the minimal use of electricity for essential appliances such as lights, TVs, Wi-Fi routers, fridges, and security systems.”

Eskom will prompt customers to reduce their consumption to 10 Amps an hour before the start of load-shedding by sending a message to their cellphones.

The system will provide the customer with four opportunities to reduce their consumption. If the load has not been reduced after these opportunities, the meter will automatically switch off the electricity supply for 30 minutes before the supply is restored.

“The next rollout will be implemented in Buccleuch, Kelvin, Paulshof, Marlboro, Sunninghill, and Waterfall where smart meters have been installed. The success of the project depends on the partnership between Eskom and the cooperation of customers, and their willingness to reduce their electricity consumption to below 10 Amps,” added Qithi.

While some residents have expressed their agreement with the project, others, like resident Musa Khoza, have raised concerns, stating that this solution is like ‘putting a plaster on the problem’ but not resolving the root cause.

Moreover, Eskom urges all customers with compatible meters where load-limiting will be implemented to support the initiative, which ensures that they continue to have electricity for the duration of load-shedding.

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