NATIONAL NEWS - Load-reduction has resumed in Limpopo, the Western and Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KZN, and the North West as Eskom tries to curb network overloading.
The power utility’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, said in a media statement that 94% of the total overloaded transformers are in these areas.
“Despite continued public information campaigns to customers about the implications of electricity theft activities, Eskom has no other option but to implement load-reduction to protect its assets from repeated failures and explosions, which pose a risk to human lives,” she said.
Thieves to blame
Illegal connections, network equipment theft, vandalism, meter bypassing and tampering, unauthorised network operations, and purchasing electricity from illegal vendors are some causes of overloaded transformers.
“A transformer damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months, [therefore] protecting Eskom’s assets is in the best interests of all South Africans,” said Eskom Distribution group executive Monde Bala.
Bala added that load-reduction is implemented as a ‘very last resort’, after all other options have been exhausted and for ‘the shortest periods possible’, but emphasised that overloaded transformers present a ‘serious risk to human life’.
Load-reduction vs load-shedding
The statement by Eskom explained that ‘load-reduction’ has been in play for several years and emphasised that load-shedding remains suspended. The country last experienced load-shedding 104 days ago.
“Load-reduction is a long-established process Eskom uses in specific areas when there is sufficient electricity available, but a transformer’s integrity is at risk due to overloading, whereas load-shedding is used when the national grid is constrained and there is not sufficient capacity to generate electricity to meet demand,” the statement reads.
Mokwena added that these measures are proactive to ‘protect human life, equipment worth millions of rands and people’s livelihoods’.
Is notification given?
When asked by Caxton Local Media if consumers are notified about load-reduction in their community, Mokwena said that in areas where transformers are routinely overloaded, customer service centres are asked to communicate with their customers, via SMS or other channels.
However, when a transformer is unexpectedly overloaded and load-reduction becomes necessary, notification before the fact is not always possible, she said.
Key points:
- Peak hours for overloading of transformers are between 05:00–07:00 and 17:00–19:00. Implementation of load-reduction will occur during peak hours when demand is at the highest.
- Eskom’s electricity infrastructure is designed to handle loads based on known demand: Legally connected customers and actual sales for specific areas.
- During winter, there is an exponential increase in energy demand in areas prone to electricity theft.
- There are currently around 2 111 transformers that are frequently overloaded across the country, and at risk of being damaged, with around 900 transformers awaiting replacement.
“While Eskom aims to exclude paying customers from load-reduction, the network’s configuration does not allow for dedicated supply lines to paying customers, making it impractical to service them separately,” Mokwena added.
She said customers are, therefore, urged to ensure the electricity they consume is legally connected, reduce their consumption, and report illegal activities.
“Additionally, customers are encouraged to switch off non-essential appliances, such as heaters and geysers, and use alternative heating methods. Customers are urged to report criminal activities, such as illegal connections, theft and vandalism that can damage transformers, mini-substations and other electricity infrastructure to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 112 722.”
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