The truth about load-shedding in Estcourt

An urgent meeting was called on January 16, to discuss the way forward in times of Stage 6 to Stage 8 load-shedding.
Members of the various communities have been hearing all sorts of rumours and stories, so here are the facts and details…

Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality has always been performing load-shedding as and when Eskom required it.

The stages have been calculated and requested from the municipality as follows:

Stage 1 – 5% of current normal load.
Stage 2 – 10% of normal load.
Stage 3 – 15% of normal load.
Stage 4 – 20% of normal load.
Stage 5 – 25% of normal load.
Stage 6 – 30% of normal load.
Stage 7 – 35% of normal load.
Stage 8 – 40% of normal load.

The municipality is required to remove this percentage of the load from the network when required. Since the network is old and subject to faults, the municipality is trying not to switch off, but rather reduce loads to meet the declared amount. Should we not be successful in reducing, then the municipality will have no option but to switch off.

The switching off will come at a huge cost to everyone, as the restoration of power cannot be guaranteed, and the time for restoration after a fault caused by load-shedding will not be certain. This will mean that everyone will be affected, from two hours once-a-day up to (and not limited to) 14 hours of load-shedding, either combined or separated by breaks, depending on the stage of load-shedding.
Industrial and bulk customers are currently reducing, but we have challenges in Stage 6 to Stage 8, as we cannot keep expecting our large power users to rescue us while they suffer.

ALSO READ: Urvashini is at the top of the class for 2023

Due to the above, the urgent meeting was called where the loading was discussed and a way forward was to be decided as to how we can manage load-shedding further, but also get more customers to reduce so that the impact in all stages can be minimal to all customers.
To load-shed, the municipality sends out a WhatsApp message to all industrial and bulk customers.

In stages 1 to 3, industrial customers are expected to reduce by the allocated amounts and since these are sometimes more, as customers switch off loading which is more than required, then the major factories are not called upon during stages 1 to 3. Supermarkets are requested to switch off 50% of floor lights to indicate to customers that load-shedding is in progress. From Stage 4, the major companies are requested to reduce; these are Nestle, Eskort Limited and Pioneer Foods.

Eskort Limited and Pioneer Foods have been called upon in Stage 5 and 6 to make further sacrifices, as Nestle had to do more work on their generator control system and perform more frequent maintenance due to longer running hours of their generators.
During Stage 5 and 6, production was much lower.

So, in order to manage the loading more effectively and distribute it equally, the call was sent to all businesses and industries to reduce equally, as there are customers who have been running maximum production without any form of reduction. We are also extending calls to all residents to participate in these difficult times.

Every bit helps

In all stages, all customers are requested to reduce their consumption, switch off non-essential equipment in stages 1 to 3, and then start to switch off air-conditioners, geysers, stoves, ovens and high-consumption floodlights. Consider that if the power were to be switched off, then you would not have a choice to have certain equipment on.

We have formed a committee which is engaging customers on how to manage their consumption, and the municipal electricity staff are assisting customers to identify loading and recommendations are made to customers to change their usage pattern. All customers are requested to please switch off high-consumption equipment when required, and to consider the effects that other towns are experiencing, leaving them without electricity from two hours to sometimes five to six days.

Switch off all lights when not in use, switch off geysers and pool pumps, set air-conditioning to 20 degrees, turn off outside lights (but do not compromise your security) and change to LED lighting. Every bit helps.

We understand that it’s extremely hot, but you need to switch off air-conditioning or set the temperature to 20 degrees Celsius. Consider that if the power goes off, then you will not have that means of comfort. Please contact Cyril Moodley at the municipality should you require assistance or guidance in identifying your loading requirements.

NOW SEE: Anglers fish for points

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter