Ramaphosa: South Africans must switch off geysers this winter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to play their part in reducing load shedding by switching off their geysers during peak times in order to limit the stages of power cuts ahead of winter.
Ramaphosa made the comments at the closing of the ANC’s national executive committee meeting in Boksburg on Monday.
He said previously the country was able to save at least 3000 MW through this initiative.
“For example we are aware that Eskom was in the past able to implement a very successful public campaign to reduce electricity demand during the winter of 2010. This campaign was able to save 3000 MW of consumption.
“One of the ways that every South African can contribute to reducing loadshedding is taking steps to switch off their geysers during the day and in the evening. This will result in Eskom being able to have added capacity for energy generation.”
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Ramaphosa’s comments come amid predictions by experts of a dark winter as South Africa remains in the grip of an energy crisis.
On Monday the country was yet again plunged into stage 6 rolling blackouts after seven generating units broke down.
Breakdowns at Eskom are currently at 17 955MW of generating capacity.
