Residents in these areas could be hit with load reduction and load shedding at the same time

City Power has warned that Joburg residents could face power cuts if their usage is not curbed during winter.

Several high-density suburbs across the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) have been identified as high-users that could destabilise the grid.

Should the suburbs not curb their usage, City Power says it will be forced to implement load reduction in said areas.

Loadshedding is currently suspended but in the eventuality that it makes a return this winter, City Power confirmed the affected suburbs will face dual electricity constraints.

ALSO READ: Nersa approves free basic electricity rate for poor households

“If reinstated, load reduction will continue parallel to load shedding in these areas if energy consumption is not reduced,” revealed City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.

These peak usage levels occurred between four and 10 in the mornings and evenings. 

List of high-usage suburbs

The high-density suburbs needing to lower their usage are:

• Alexandra
• Freedom Park
• Hospital Hill
• Kliptown
• Klipfontein
• Lawley
• Matholesville
• Mayibuye
• Mountain View
• Naturena
• Pennyville
• Pimville Zone 9
• Precast
• Princess
• Slovo
• Thembelihle
• Tshepisong
• Vlakfontein

Should infrastructure fail, it would delay repairs and could have a ripple effect on healthcare services, schools and small businesses, among others.

Suburbs warned two weeks ago

The suburbs received the same warning on 23 May.

ALSO READ: No load shedding, but City Power warns load reduction could hit these areas to ‘protect from total collapse’

The cold snap called for the message to be repeated.

“Although City Power has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the extreme wintry weather on its network, customer cooperation is essential to maintaining a stable and uninterrupted power supply.”