Save electricity or face cuts – Eskom

Save electricity or face cuts

October 09 2008 at 01:02PM

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By Sinegugu Ndlovu

Eskom has warned of unplanned power cuts if people fail to step up power-saving measures as the power utility embarks on its summer power maintenance period.

The maintenance programme is already in full swing in anticipation of the next winter season.

The programme involves maintenance of Eskom’s entire infrastructure, including transition lines and power stations.

Some units had already been shut down for repairs

Eskom said while it had tried to ensure supply was uninterrupted during the cold winter months, it would conduct maintenance in summer.

Some units had already been shut down for repairs and the process would continue on a rotational basis. The possibility of power cuts would remain until April next year.

“This means that the chance of load-shedding will increase,” said Eskom spokesperson Fani Zulu.

He said Eskom operated with a low reserve margin and called on people to cut down on electricity usage.

“People should cut their use by 10 percent because if they don’t, it will add to the already low reserve margin, which will result in load-shedding.”

‘People should cut their use by 10 percent because if they don’t’

Zulu said people had become lackadaisical about power saving following a power cut-free winter. He said while the electricity grid remained stable, the reserve margin remained low, placing a strain on the supply.

“As long as we do not address that, we remain vulnerable. The reserve margin is still low and we need to save. If everyone pushes for the 10 percent power saving, Eskom will be able to build its reserve margin and continue supplying power, even when systems unexpectedly trip,” he said.

Zulu said that summer had its own consumption dynamics, with people using air conditioners.

Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Gugu Mazibuko said the prospect of load-shedding was worrying, especially if it happened during peak trading in December.

“We can’t just live with the knowledge that power cuts could happen at any time; we need a schedule in terms of exact dates,” said Mazibuko

Minerals and energy department spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said power-saving issues were high on the agenda of the last electricity stakeholder advisory council meeting.

The present eThekwini Municipality load-shedding schedule would be used for Durban in the event of power cuts.

• • This article was originally published on page 2 of The Mercury on October 09, 2008