The small things we can all do to help City Power keep the lights on
JOBURG – City Power will implement load rotating in areas experiencing repeated power outages as a result of overloading to protect the substations from blowing up.
City Power pleads with customers to use electricity effectively this winter season.
CEO of City Power Lerato Setshedi is encouraging their customers to make lifestyle changes to reduce their usage of electricity. In a statement released by City Power, the power entity under the City of Johannesburg said electricity being used sparingly will help them keep the lights on as part of their Winter Plan.
Setshedi expressed, “We are relying on our customers to make the necessary adjustments to save electricity in their households. This, in turn, will decrease overloading of the network, prevent unplanned outages while easing pressure off the grid especially during winter months.”
City Power is already experiencing capacity constraints in most of its areas. Illegal connections of electricity are among one of the biggest problems and City Power has a plan in place to remove such connections.
Most of these connections are in informal settlements but there has been a rise in illegal connections in suburbs to according to the power entity. For the Winter Plan to succeed, City Power will also rely on the cooperation and support from all of its customers.
City Power offered some ways in which customers can help them avoid outages by simply using less power. Cost-effective ways to reduce your electricity consumption is the use of alternatives and less intensive heating methods.
These include gas, compact fluorescent lighting, solar water heaters and heat generation through conventional fireplaces. Customers should also consider switching off all non-essential items during the rush hours of between 4pm and 10pm.
These consist of the switching off of geysers, heaters, hot plates not in use, swimming pool pumps and electric blankets. Customers should also consider switching off all non-essential items during the rush hours of between 4pm and 10pm. These consist of the switching off of geysers, heaters, hot plates not in use, swimming pool pumps and electric blankets.
If customers and City Power fail to achieve their goals, as a last resort City Power will implement load rotation in areas that are experiencing repeated power outages as a result of overloading.
“This will be done to protect the whole substation from blowing up,” concluded Mangena.When necessary, load rotation will be implemented every day between 4pm to 10pm, only in areas where City Power’s monitoring suggests their infrastructure is under severe strain and pressure. City Power appeals to the public to report any illegal behaviour anonymously to 0800 002 587.
