Lydia Mathobela-Nhlapo
City Power is urgently calling on residents of Johannesburg to reduce their electricity consumption as winter sets in, causing a significant strain on the power system. The City’s power utility is closely monitoring consumption patterns across its supply areas, currently facing increased pressure due to the sharp drop in temperatures.
“We have already started recording a sharp increase in electricity demand. This exerts unbearable pressure on the network and its resources,” says City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena.
“During peak hours in the morning from 4am to 10pm and again in the afternoon from 4pm to 10pm, certain areas have recorded usage levels that threaten to overload the electricity equipment,” warns Mangena.
To avoid a potential network collapse, City Power is appealing to residents, especially in high-density areas, to lower their consumption. These areas include:
• Alexandra
• Freedom Park
• Hospital Hill
• Kliptown
• Klipfontein
• Lawley
• Matholesville
• Mayibuye
• Mountain View
• Naturena
• Pennyville
• Pimville Zone 9
• Precast
• Princess
• Slovo
• Thembelihle
• Tshepisong
• Vlakfontein
City Power warns that if the strain on the system continues, it will have no choice but to implement load reduction in these areas, and potentially more.
“Should customers not heed the call, City Power will be left with no choice but to implement load reduction in these areas and others,” says Mangena.
He says load reduction is the utility’s last resort to protect its network infrastructure from damage or total collapse. If the equipment fails due to overloading, which could have been prevented, prolonged outages will be imminent. This will delay repairs and equipment replacement, negatively impacting essential services such as healthcare, small businesses, schools, traffic lights, and vulnerable individuals who depend on an uninterrupted power supply.
City Power notes that while load-shedding is currently suspended, if reinstated, load reduction will continue parallel to load-shedding in these areas if energy consumption is not reduced.
The entity strongly urges customers, particularly in high-density areas, to use electricity sparingly, explore alternative energy sources, and switch off all non-essential appliances. These necessary adjustments in electricity usage can help prevent load reduction.
Although City Power has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the extreme wintry weather on its network, customer cooperation is essential to maintaining a stable and uninterrupted power supply. For energy-saving tips, customers are encouraged to visit our website at www.citypower.co.za
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