Use electricity sparingly to help the municipality avoid extra charges
Eskom slams the municipality with additional charges when it exceeds the Notified Maximum Demand.
Eskom is not lenient when it comes to electricity use.
Especially with the Emalahleni Local Municipality that owes them over R4.6 billion.
The power utility slams the municipality with additional charges when it exceeds the Notified Maximum Demand (NMD).
The NMD is the reserved capacity for the municipality’s operations to provide for the maximum power demand requirements during all periods.
Eskom said it is necessary to implement NMD because the impact of a sudden spike in demand on the electricity network, and Eskom’s ability to effectively deal with the increase in demand, can put the electricity supply at risk and result in supply interruptions.
This comes with the risk of power outages, which are not only inconvenient but could have a negative impact on customers connected to that specific line of supply.
To minimise this risk, the NMD of a client’s supply is set in place and is stipulated in their Eskom electricity supply agreement contract.
But it is not only consumers that are responsible for the extra electricity usage.
Emalahleni’s biggest headache is illegal connections, tampering with municipal system and bypassing of electricity meters.
“We are trying all avenues to avoid paying a higher tariff implemented by Eskom on its NMD,” Mr Lebo Mofokeng municipal spokesperson told Witbank News.
The local electricity conservation and demand management call upon all consumers and users to use electricity efficiently and safely to protect natural resources and conserve the environment.
“Implementing energy-saving tips daily not only reduces your monthly electricity bill but is also good for the environment and the old municipal electrical infrastructure,” Mofokeng said.
He shared a few tips to save electricity: Use energy-efficient lights and other efficient appliances, switch off your geyser during the day when there is nobody in the house and switch off the lights in the empty rooms.
Mofokeng added, “Minimise the pool pump running time and switch off the pool pump during peak time, when making tea boil only the needed water and switch off completely all appliances that are not in use.”
He said consumers should also always use the cold water tap unless they really need hot water, turn off the heater, fan and the air conditioner when you leave the room or the office and where possible use electricity during the off-peak periods.
“The communities, electricity users and consumers are urged to refrain from engaging in electricity illegal connections as it is fatal and dangerous, report any incidents of infrastructure vandalism and/or interference and pay for services rendered,” Mofokeng concluded.
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