Eskom again takes over Ekurhuleni’s load-shedding
On previous occasions, Eskom has taken back the role of load-shedding CoE customers.
Eskom will resume directly load-shedding City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) customers after the city’s repeated failure to adhere to the NRS 048-9:2019 code of practice.
The power utility will take over the role of load-shedding CoE’s customers today (Friday).
The code of practice requires electricity distribution licence holders to reduce load during the declaration of a system emergency.
The recurrence of Eskom taking over load-shedding in Ekurhuleni follows the close monitoring and analysis conducted by the power utility which show that the CoE does not reduce the load as required by the NRS 048-9:2019.
According to Eskom, the power utility brought to the attention of the city, on numerous occasions, its failure to load-shed its customers in keeping with the agreed regulations.
On previous occasions, Eskom has taken back the role of load-shedding CoE customers.
The CoE then requested that Eskom hand back the implementation of load-shedding to the municipality with a commitment to honour the requirements of the code of practice.
While Eskom appreciates the CoE’s technical limitations in executing load-shedding, it has little option but to implement load-shedding on behalf of the CoE as the non-compliance puts further strain on the already stretched national grid.
Failure to implement load-shedding when required by all electricity distributors, including municipalities, undermines the integrity and stability of the grid, which may lead to higher stages of load-shedding.
Electricity consumers and all members of the public can assist in reducing load by switching off non-essential and high consuming appliances such as geysers, stoves and pool pumps.
This will alleviate the pressure on the power system and contribute to lower stages of load-shedding.
Residential and industrial customers from the City of Ekurhuleni are urged to contact the municipality directly for the city’s load-shedding schedule or to visit their website at www.ekurhuleni.gov.za as Eskom uses the city’s schedule.
