No more load shedding this week - Eskom

Johannesburg City Power will remotely switch off geysers to alleviate strain on the power grid, a spokesman said. File picture: Dumisani Sibeko

Johannesburg City Power will remotely switch off geysers to alleviate strain on the power grid, a spokesman said. File picture: Dumisani Sibeko

Published Nov 5, 2014

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Johannesburg - Although Eskom’s power system will remain constrained on Wednesday and Thursday, if consumers use electricity sparingly, no load shedding is expected for the rest of the week.

A team is working around the clock at the Majuba power station to recover capacity after the collapse of a coal silo there on Saturday.

“It is through these efforts that the country had been spared load shedding over the past two days, and hopefully for the rest of the this week,” said Eskom spokesman Andrew Etzinger.

Majuba is now generating 1 200MW, about a third of its full generating capacity, which has helped significantly with the management of dam levels at Eskom’s pumped storage power stations. Those stations use water to generate electricity and are normally used only as peaking power stations.

“Should we need to go into load shedding, customers will be alerted as early as possible,” said Etzinger.

Eskom has appealed to consumers to reduce their electricity usage throughout the day, but especially from 6pm to 10pm, by switching off geysers, air conditioners, pool pumps and all non-essential appliances to prevent the need for rotational load shedding.

Eskom said on Wednesday morning that there had been no load shedding since Sunday.

“It is hopeful that by applying these measures, coupled with support from all electricity consumers, Eskom should achieve the required load reduction necessary to protect the national grid,” he said.

On Tuesday, several areas in Joburg had power cuts because of a technical fault at the Prospect substation in City Deep, but power has since been restored to all suburbs.

Eskom’s load shedding schedules are available for direct customers on the utility’s website: http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/

Customers can also contact the Eskom call centre at 0860 037 566 for additional information.

Load-shedding schedules will only be used for the duration of the constraint and Eskom has promised regular updates on the status of the power system.

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The Star

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