Newcastle Municipality is still finding its feet after being forced to impose power cuts for the first time in load-shedding history.

The Electrical Department is able to switch geysers off to shed the load required up to Stage 3 load-shedding, and has done this successfully to shield residents from complete power cuts up till now. However, Stage 4 and higher require larger amounts of electricity to be shed… much more than simply switching off geysers and street lights will allow, and power cuts have finally become inevitable.

When the lights did go out, residents were caught completely unaware. Nobody knew that it was going to happen, when the power would come back on, or which area would be affected next… Neither did the municipality.

In a media release, Eskom attributed the need for Stage 4 loadshedding to coal handling and operational problems caused by heavy rain at several power stations. Stage 4 escalated to Stage 6 loadshedding with very short notice, following a technical problem at Medupi Power Station.

ALSO READ: [NOTICE] Residents to prepare for geyser ‘loadshedding’ today

Having never had to implement loadshedding before, municipal staff had to think on their feet, and try to tackle each challenge as it arose.

“It has been difficult,” admits Strategic Executive Director of the Technical Services Department, Sydney Chauke.

“In Newcastle, loadshedding is new. It is something that we still have to master to be punctual. Yesterday, we struggled to restore electricity to some areas, but now that the reality of loadshedding is with us, we have to be prepared.”

Transformers supplying power to the industrial area and a small portion of Sunny Ridge exploded when electricians attempted to restore power, leaving residents and businesses without electricity for much longer than anticipated.

“I can confirm that a temporary measure has been put in place to restore the transformer supplying power to a portion of Sunny Ridge. Of the three that are supplying to the industrial area, we made a plan with one of them, which allows us to supply 20mva. Once we repair the second, we will be able to meet the full electricity needs of the industrial area. The third transformer was a spare. Our team will continue with the repairs as soon as the rain stops,” explained Mr Chauke.

ALSO READ: Loadshedding schedule for Newcastle, according to municipal councillor

“Scattered switching points,” was another challenge Mr Chauke says caused delays in power being restored to certain areas.

“It was difficult to be consistent with time when the electricians had to travel to get from one point to another to switch the power back on. We are working on a schedule, in which areas are grouped such that the switching points are closer, in order to ensure there isn’t a lengthy delay in restoring power to certain areas.”

Mr Chauke advises residents to switch off and unplug appliances during load shedding in order to safe guard them from damage should a power surge occur when electricity is restored.

“We expect to be finished with the load-shedding schedule before close of business today (December 10). The power cuts will then be implemented according to the stage of loadshedding Eskom communicates with us. We may still have glitches here and there, but the aim is to stick to the schedule,” he concluded.

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