Lekwa Municipality commented on Wednesday, September 1 on the load reduction schedule and alleged unfair reduction at some substations.
According to their communications department, they took note of enquiries and complaints from concerned residents about ongoing load reduction, while the weather is improving.
Lekwa firstly monitors electricity usage 24/7 through a Scada system.
Wikipedia explained the term as supervisory control and data acquisition, a control system architecture, comprising computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces for high-level process supervisory management.
No load reduction is implemented when the load is stable.
When the load reduction schedule is implemented due to high usage, the schedule is used according to the different subs.
“It has to be noted that some areas won’t be switched off as they are sharing the supply with identified essential users,” the statement read.
Damaging of cables from time to time due to fibre-companies’ activities, relate in some cases to affected areas that get connected to a certain sub as a temporary measure.
According to the municipality, they are attending to the matter.
There is no increase on the notified maximum demand (NMD) as yet, a first step on a road to stabilising electricity supply.
According to the department, plans are in place for metering all electricity users, payment of electricity consumed, correcting of all data in the billing system, collection of debt – old and current and upgrading of infrastructure.
“It has to be mentioned that this will take time, but we have begun with such programmes as mentioned above.”
The community was urged to play their part by making sure they pay for the services provided, report bridged and faulty meters, use electricity sparingly, take care of the municipal infrastructure, report cable theft and vandalism, report open meter boxes and mini-substations and report damaged electricity poles.
