UPDATE: Eskom declares power usage emergency
Eskom has lifted the power emergency declaration it issued on Thursday, 20 February, as pressure on its system eased slightly. “The power emergency was lifted at around 9pm [on Thursday] but the system is still in a vulnerable state,” said Eskom spokesman Andrew Etzinger on Friday. Eskom declared the power emergency on Thursday afternoon, urging major industrial customers to reduce electricity consumption by at least 10 percent.
The power system is severely constrained today due to the loss of additional generating units from Eskom’s power station fleet, reduced imports and the extensive use of emergency reserves.
This has necessitated the need for the power parastatal to declare an emergency in terms of the approved regulatory protocols, to protect the national electricity grid.
Eskom is following the protocol in terms of its emergency procedures in order to secure the power system. “We have alerted our key industrial customers and have required them to reduce their load by a minimum of 10% as from 2pm today. The emergency is in force until 9pm tonight. This will be reviewed thereafter to determine the way forward, ” said a spokesman.
“While we will make every effort to avoid load shedding, we are hopeful that by applying these measures, coupled with support from all electricity consumers, we will achieve the required load reduction necessary to protect the national grid.”
Eskom calls on all its commercial customers – particularly shopping centres and retail outlets – to immediately switch off geysers and to adjust air-conditioning temperature levels to 23⁰C. As workers leave office buildings this evening, they are asked to switch off lights with the exception of security lighting, and avoid leaving on air-conditioning overnight.
Residential consumers are called on to switch off geysers, air conditioners, lights and non-essential appliances from 5pm to 9pm.
As a precautionary measure Eskom’s load shedding schedules are available for Eskom direct customers online at https://loadshedding.eskom.co.za Customers can also contact the Eskom call centre on 0860-037-566 for additional information. 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.
For tips on how to trim 10% off your consumption, visit www.eskom.co.za/idm .
