Eskom – load shedding is a ‘last resort’
JOBURG - Eskom has indicated that while load shedding was a possibility it would only be used as a last resort for power saving.
According to Eskom’s website, it was not load shedding but had prepared a schedule to equip consumers to be better prepared in the event that load shedding was required.
On 20 February, the utility declared a power emergency, urging industrial customers to reduce consumption by at least 10 percent.
The power emergency declaration was lifted hours later as pressure on the system had eased slightly.
“We declared an emergency earlier today [20 February] as the power system was severely constrained due to the loss of additional generating units from our power station fleet, reduced imports, and the extensive use of emergency reserves,” Eskom said in a statement.
The emergency was lifted at 9pm, allowing all industrial customers to go back to full production.
“However, it is important that all electricity consumers contribute to savings by reducing their consumption as we remain on high alert until early next week,” the power utility said.
The emergency was declared in accordance with its regulatory protocols to protect the national power grid.
In a bid to reduce the power supply demand, shopping centres and retail outlets were asked to switch off geysers and adjust air conditioners to 23°C.
Additionally, office workers were urged to switch off all lights and air conditioners overnight and only leave on security lights.
Residential customers were also urged to switch off geysers, air conditioners, lights and non-essential appliances between 5pm and 9pm.
Eskom acknowledged that some residential customers had experienced power interruptions but said that these were due to localised problems.
“At no stage did Eskom implement rotational load shedding,” the utility assured.
The load shedding schedule was published on the Eskom website and could be viewed at https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/LoadShedding/Index.
