City Power says it will implement load reduction in areas with exceedingly high usage levels to protect from total collapse.
The entity says electricity consumption in Johannesburg has reached critical levels.
CITY POWER TO IMPLEMENT LOAD REDUCTION
The power utility said other measures, such as ripple relays and cutoffs of illegal connections, are currently underway to relieve the severe strain on the electricity network due to a massive increase in energy demand.
“City Power will implement load reduction on Monday, 10 June. Load reduction will be implemented during peak times from 6:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 22:00 in high-density areas and suburbs concerning usage levels that threaten to overload the electricity equipment.
“Load limiting through smart metres will also be implemented in July to further assist customers in saving energy without switching them off completely.”
SHARP INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE EVENING PEAK LOAD
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the entity has recorded a sharp increase in the average evening peak load in some areas.
The average peak load went by 65% from 25MW during the summer months to 33MW between April and May 2024.
Mangena said that in some instances, the load reaches 42 MW, constituting a 110% increase in consumption levels compared with the warmer season.
“With temperature expected to drop even more between June and July, the consumption levels could have dire consequences on our network infrastructure if load reduction is not urgently implemented,” he added.
HERE ARE THE AFFECTED AREAS
- Mountain View
- Pimville Zone 9
- Freedom Park
- Matholesville
- Tshepisong
- Klipfontein
- Thembelihle
- Pennyville
- Alexandra
- Naturena
- Kliptown
- Mayibuye
- Princess
- Precast
- Slovo
- Lawley
- Vlakvontein