City Power has urged residents of certain areas in Johannesburg to use electricity sparingly after recording an overload on the network.

The power utility says if there's no compliance, they will be forced to implement load reductions.

DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY

City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said the power utility is closely monitoring consumption patterns across their supply areas within Johannesburg. "City Power is currently facing a considerable strain on the system due to the recent drop in temperatures. The entity has already started recording a sharp increase in electricity demand, this always exerts unbearable pressure on the network and resources thereof," said Mangena. He explained that the strain and demand occur during peak hours in the morning from 4am to 10am and again in the afternoon from 4pm and 10pm. " Certain areas have recorded and reached concerning usage levels that threaten to overload the electricity equipment." Mangena added that the most high-density areas are: Alexandra, Freedom Park,Hospital Hill, Kliptown, Klipfontein, Lawley, Matholesville, Mayibuye, Mountain View, Naturena, Pennyville, Pimville Zone 9, Prescast, Princess, Slovo,Thembelihle

Tshepisong and Vlakfontein.

REDUCE URGENTLY 

The Joburg power supplier has appealed to residence to urgently reduce electricity consumption to relieve the strain from the grid to avoid load reduction. "Should customers not heed the call, City Power will implement load reduction in these areas. Load reduction is the utility's last resort in protecting its network infrastructure from damage or total collapse. If the equipment explodes due to overloading which could have been prevented, prolonged outages will be imminent, and delays will occur in repairing the damages and replacing the equipment," said Mangena. He says load reduction will hurt the delivery of essential services.