Eskom announces emergency plan
Eskom has declared a power emergency on 20 November.
The electricity system has been severely constrained due to the loss of additional generating units from the power station fleet and the extensive use of emergency reserves.
“This has necessitated the need for Eskom to declare an emergency in terms of the approved regulatory protocols,” said the power utility in a statement.
The power utility said it followed the protocol in terms of its emergency procedures in order to secure the power system, and its key industrial customers were alerted and were required to reduce their load by a minimum of 10 percent.
“While we will make every effort to avoid load shedding, we are hopeful that by applying these measures we will achieve the required load reduction necessary to protect the national grid.”
It called on all its customers to urgently switch off geysers, pool pumps, air conditioning and all non-essential appliances from 5pm to 9pm.
“As workers leave office buildings this evening we ask that they please switch off lights with the exception of the security lighting.”
Load shedding schedules for Eskom’s direct customers will be published as a precautionary measure on the utility’s website from 5pm today.
Load shedding schedules will only be utilised for the duration of the constraint and Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system.
Contact: www.loadshedding.eskom.co.za, 0860 037 566.
