Load reduction begins today, affecting at least 80 areas in the City of Johannesburg.
City Power’s Isaac Mangena said this is one of several stringent measures to protect the grid from total collapse.
Mangena said there is an enormous increase in the average evening peak load in some areas, which went up by 65%, from 25 Megawatts (MW) during the summer months to 33MW between April and May 2024.
In some instances, the load shoots up to 42MW, constituting a 110% increase in consumption levels in comparison with the warmer season.
“During January and March this year, the average off-peak consumption at some of our substations has been sitting at 20MW. Between April and May, consumption shot up by 50%, increasing the off-peak load to 30MW.”
With temperatures expected to drop even further between June and July, the current consumption levels could have dire consequences on the network infrastructure, if load reduction is not urgently implemented.
Load reduction will be implemented during peak times, which are from 6 to 10 am and 4 to 10 pm. City Power is targeting high-density areas and suburbs, which it says, have concerning usage levels, that threaten to overload the electricity equipment.
Areas within the load reduction schedule are: Doornkop, Elias Motsoaledi, Orlando ekhaya, Pimville Zone 9, Kliptown RDP, Hopefield, Vlakfontein and extensions 1, 2 & 3, Lenasia Extension 24, Hospital Hill 1 & 2, Lawley ext. 1, Jeppes Town, Troyville, Fairview, Kensington South, Malvern, Kiasha Park ext, Migson Manor & Triangle, Unaville, Commercia, Mayibuye, Rabie Ridge & Extension 4 & 5, Austin View, Matholesville, Princess, Legae & extension, Zakariya Park & extensions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, Klipfontein View & extension, Bellevue, Bellevue East and extension, Linksfield Ridge, Yeoville, Houghton West, Finetown and Kiasha Park.
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