After 103 days of no loadshedding, Eskom has announced the commencement of load reduction in seven provinces caused by the increased demand for electricity. The power utility will implement load reduction in Limpopo, the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal.

OVERLOAD

Eskom distribution group executive Monde Bala explained that the power utility has enough electricity to meet demand; however, load reduction has to be implemented to ease the pressure on infrastructure such as transformers and substations. "Overloaded transformers as a result of electricity theft present a serious risk to human life. We only implement load reduction as a very last resort for the shortest periods possible after all other options have been exhausted," said Bala.

PROVINCES AFFECTED 

Bala added that more than 90% of the overloaded transformers are in the seven affected provinces. "There are currently about 2,111 transformers that are frequently overloaded across the country and at risk of being damaged, with about 900 transformers awaiting replacement. Transformers damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months, "he said. He said in the past, areas that have been placed under load reduction have reflected less failure in equipment and prolonged outages. Load reduction will be implemented between 05:00 and 07:00 in the morning and again from 17:00 to 19:00 in the evening, when the risk of overloading transformers is highest.