Load shedding strikes again, Eskom shares energy saving tips

The power system is currently severely constrained due to a shortage of generating capacity as several units are currently out of service for scheduled maintenance and others due to technical faults.

“Eskom technicians are working hard to return these units back to service as soon as possible,” says the Eskom media desk.

In addition to the units that are currently offline due to technical faults and planned maintenance, the situation this morning was worsened by a loss of 1 200MW (Megawatts) of electricity imported from Mozambique due to technical faults at the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power station.

This is in addition to the initial 300MW lost yesterday at the same power station.

“We urge all customers to use electricity sparingly and to switch off all non-essential appliances in order to reduce pressure on the national power grid.”

Eskom will use the published load shedding schedules which are available on the Eskom website www.loadshedding.eskom.co.za for Eskom customers.

Eskom customers can also contact our customer call centre on 0860 037 566.

Municipal customers should contact their municipalities for information.

“We will provide regular updates on the status of the power system should there be a change in stages of load shedding.”

Customers can help minimise the risk of load shedding, and also keep tabs on their electricity bill this winter by following some of these energy saving tips:

• Use electric heaters that are controlled by thermostats.

• Electric blankets are the cheapest way of warming the bed, but don’t keep them on throughout the night, turn your electric blanket on for an hour or two just before bedtime to heat it up and switch it off.

• Only heat rooms that you and your family are going to use.

• Insulate ceilings and make sure that there are no gaps that let cold air into your house to improve the efficiency of your heater.

Other ways of reducing electricity demand include:

• Never leaving appliances such as TVs, computers and entertainment systems on standby mode. Remaining on standby mode, these appliances still use up to 15% of the electricity that they would normally use.

• Switching off lights in unoccupied rooms and replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs).

• Taking a shower instead of taking a bath (a shower uses a lot less water than a bath), also consider installing an energy and water-efficient shower head.

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