Yes, I have been affected by load shedding – but it was something I had learnt to live with. I normally managed to escape to a sweet little restaurant with my fiance where we were able to relax and pretend load shedding was not happening. However, when City Power announced a new Time of Use plan I got a bit of a fright.
The Energy Regulator of South Africa has granted City Power the rights to implement a new system in the hope that it will reduce pressure on the grid and change electricity consumers’ habits.
At first I thought that this was a fantastic idea. City Power will charge residents different rates throughout the day, depending on peak hours. Off-peak rates will be reduced, which is great… however, the power utility failed to mention what the peak rates are going to be.
City Power customers could, as of 1 July, find themselves paying much more for electricity when they use it during peak hours, which are between 7am and 10am, and 6pm to 9pm.
So, at first this seem fair and reasonable – but if the rates are high, no one will want to use peak hour electricity, which I am assuming is the aim here. However, most of us work during the day and don’t have the luxury of cooking dinner in the afternoon. Taking myself as the average consumer, I wake up, shower, make coffee, eat breakfast and go to work. That all happens during City Power’s peak time. I get home at 6pm, cook dinner, watch a little TV and then go to bed. Again, this is all in peak time. It seems the only time I am actually in my house is during peak times, so my electricity bill is going to see quite a hike – unless I start getting creative.
I don’t have solutions to the energy crisis, and have no doubt that this plan, which I am sure Eskom will implement soon, will work. But for the average consumer, the effects might be felt a little too much.
I am hoping it will be a success – and hopefully I am overreacting, but right now, I am not convinced.
Load shedding is a reality and there is no doubt that South Africans need to become a part of the solution, rather than the problem itself… but is this truly the best way to solve our electricity crisis?
Do you think our editor, Megan McLean, is overreacting to City Power’s new Time of Use system, or do you share her fears?
Post your comment below in the comments section.
