#Loadshedding: Estcourt is in the light
While the rest of the country is experiencing load shedding, Estcourt has not had its power supply interrupted
A week ago the likelihood of load shedding was bright …this week it is much dimmer.
Yes, Estcourt does experience load shedding but thanks to an agreement made with local businesses; household customers and small to medium businesses are not affected.
READ: Everything you need to know about the latest bout of loadshedding
Here is how it is done: the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality does not switch off any customer’s electricity due to the aging infrastructure and the effects of ‘power dips,’ which cause more damage and downtime for the town’s major customers.
The businesses that actively participate to reduce their electricity load on a regular basis are Nestle, Evowood, Eskort Limited, Pioneer Foods, Glamosa, Clover, Rainbow, Blu Rock Quarry, Flamingo Moon, Macksons Hyperzone, Pick n Pay, Narrowtex, Spar, Macksons Supermarket, Esco Feeds and Shisalanga.
According to the Municipal Manager (MM) Patrick Mkhize, no residential area within Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality is affected by load shedding and this has been the way of operations for the last few years since the agreement with local businesses was made.
“The businesses report their power consumption, when required, and maintain it for the duration of the load shedding stage. When the call from Eskom is received by Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s Electricity Planning Manager, Cyril Moodley, each customer is notified via an active WhatsApp group. They respond immediately and report on their loading to Mr Moodley. Eskom then confirms the amount shed and when the stage is completed, Eskom informs Mr Moodley accordingly,” explained Mr Mkhize.
Residents in areas like Winterton and Nottingham Road are part of the unfortunate South Africans who experience load shedding.
Eskom forecasts no load shedding this week; this is due to the improvement in plant performance, replenished diesel and water reserves over the past few days as well as the increase of imports from Mozambique.
NOW READ: Eskom implements Stage 2 loadshedding
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