The Highvelder recently reported on the Msukaligwa Municipality implementing load reductions in some areas of Ermelo.

Residents lamented this decision and aired their frustration with the municipality.

Mr Mandla Zwane, the spokesman for the Msukaligwa Municipality, has in the meantime responded to several questions the Highvelder posed to the municipality.

Load reductions, not a page out of Eskom’s book

He rejected the claim that the municipality was using the same blueprint implemented by Eskom in residential areas in Gauteng and stated that the municipality’s decision to adopt a load management programme, was simply taken because a certain Eskom substation is being overloaded and they need to avoid over-consumption on the certified power allowed to be drawn from Eskom.

He explained the municipality is licensed to draw a specific maximum power from the Eskom substation and that the substation is designed to have its load capacity per phase.

“The maximum limits are the determinants on load management as well as electricity usage which is not related to the Eskom activities implemented in Gauteng,” Mr Zwane said.

Load reductions reduce the chance of a blackout

“The current capacity of the substation is technically sufficient for the number of households planned to be supplied, however, individual electricity usage and equipment loading, resulted in the overload currently experienced at certain times,” he claimed.

According to him, the municipality has been placed under power management restrictions for the maximum power consumption granted per substation.

The municipality is responsible for managing the load, Mr Zwane therefore, stated the municipality opted to implement load reductions to avoid blackouts as a result of tripping of the Eskom substation.

Reducement of loading appliances necessary

“The community is advised to reduce or avoid loading appliances, especially between 5pm and 9pm, as part of power and load saving to ensure the stability of the network.”

According to him, the overload occurs when excessive current is drawn from the network (loading of heat-generating appliances and equipment loaded at once).

Load reductions affect all utilising 88Kv-substation

Some residents have questioned why only certain parts have to bear the brunt of load reductions carried out, to which Mr Zwane responded that the municipality is currently only implementing load reductions in the communities that are supplied electricity from the 88kV-substation since this is the only one currently overloaded.

According to him, regardless of several businesses not being operational due to the lockdown, them being operational, would only be relevant if they are supplied from the 88kV-substation.

Load reduction programme duration

When asked whether the load reduction will continue indefinitely if the load remains constrained, he said load reduction will be implemented as per the program issued and as and when the load exceeds the allowable limits for the substation, thus presumably during the winter season.

Difference between load reduction and load shedding

The short answer is, there is no difference. Mr Zwane said: “The two terminologies have the same objectives and goals coupled with the same results.”

Legality of implementing load reductions

When questioned on an earlier occasion about the legality of internal load reductions, he said that according to the municipality’s license conditions, they may implement load reductions if it is required to safeguard the equipment from permanent damage.

Service tariffs increase

Residents have also raised concerns about the increase of tariffs and questioned why they should pay more when they are currently faced with load reductions and it appears as though no maintenance is done or upgrades carried out.

According to Mr Zwane, the cost of energy is determined by Eskom and distribution costs are approved by NERSA.

Regarding maintenance and upgrades, no major maintenance is planned, but he said that should there be, it shall be communicated to the community promptly.

Residents paying the price for illegal activities

Illegal connections are a cause for concern as it burdens an already loaded grid even more. The Highvelder aksed if load reductions also in part were implemented to curb the municipality’s financial losses as a result of illegal activities such as bridging electricity, and how apart from load reductions, the municipality plans on dealing with illegal activities amid Covid-19

Mr Zwane responded: “The illegal connections or activities on power consumption is but merely one of the causes of overloading and high power consumption, which is unaccounted for and not known.

“The municipality has embarked on a programme of reducing illegal activities on its network and urged the community to report any other known illegal activities to the municipality.”