City Power implements 'load reduction' due to high demand

The utility said its system has been under pressure in recent days due to high demand.

The load reduction will be implemented during peak times, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said this will be implemented in high-density areas and suburbs.

"Electricity consumption in the City of Johannesburg has reached critical levels, forcing the city's energy entity, City Power, to embark on stringent measures to protect the grid from total collapse.

"The decision to initiate load reduction follows extensive efforts to encourage customers to use electricity wisely and efficiently in recent weeks.

"Despite warnings about the constrained electricity network in the city, residents have not reduced their electricity consumption, and energy demand has continued to rise.”

Meanwhile, City Power will also continue with its ‘load limiting’ campaign through smart meters starting in July.

The utility said this would assist customers in saving energy without switching them off completely.

"Part of our measures to lighten the load on the grid through load reduction includes the installation of ripple relays. A ripple receiver is part of a load management system used to control the electricity supply to the geyser during peak hours,” Mangena explained.

"Geysers are among the biggest electricity guzzlers, accounting for up to 50% of monthly household energy costs.

"These ripple relay receivers at different households are connected to at least 69 of our substations, and we can monitor customers' consumption load remotely."

This will allow City Power to switch off the customer geysers remotely once they reach high consumption levels.

The list of areas to be affected by the load reduction can be found on the City Power website. 

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