While the rest of the country is cloaked by the gloom of load shedding, Estcourt is a part of the minority of towns in South Africa that has not experienced load shedding. Umtshezi Municipality customers have had interrupted power supply and this is thankfully due to large businesses reducing their load. Since load shedding was introduced to South Africa years earlier, the municipality has been actively involved in finding ways to minimise the effect on its customers.
“Unlike all other municipalities who are being switched off at different hours of the day and night, Umtshezi’s electrical department has taken a different approach,” commented Municipal Manager Nonhlanhla Njoko. There are three stages of load reduction and with the assistance of businesses and industries, the required amounts for the stages are met without having to switch any customers off. The companies that have contributed are Nestle, Masonite Africa LTD, Eskort Limited, Sasko, Clover, Rainbow Bakery, Macksons HyperZone, Smith’s Quarry, Esco Feeds and Glamosa.
“The reasoning behind this is simply because a controlled stop is far more economical and viable than a forced interruption. Switching off customers will not be necessary if all electricity users contribute to the reduction methods. “Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes to all industries, especially Nestle, Masonite, Eskort and Sasko, for being ever ready and available to assist in this time of crisis,” concluded Ms Njoko.