In a welcome move, City Power, the power utility responsible for electricity in Johannesburg, has announced the suspension of load reduction until January 2025. This decision comes as a result of low electricity demand during the festive season.
South Africa has enjoyed a streak of over 200 days without load shedding, and now City Power is taking advantage of the decreased demand to give residents a break. The suspension of load reduction means that residents will not have to endure the scheduled power outages that are typically implemented to manage demand.
Load reduction is a measure employed by electricity producers to prevent overloading in specific areas. It involves cutting off power to certain areas for several hours to manage demand. However, with many companies and industries shutting down for the holidays, and residents traveling out of town, electricity consumption has decreased significantly.
According to Isaac Mangena, City Power’s spokesperson, the reduction in demand, combined with seasonal factors such as warm weather conditions, has led to lower energy usage levels. This has allowed City Power to temporarily lift load reduction measures that were put in place to safeguard the electricity grid.
While the suspension of load reduction is a relief to residents, Mangena cautioned that it is not a permanent solution. He urged customers to continue using electricity sparingly, as an increase in consumption could lead to the reinstatement of load reduction measures.
City Power anticipates that electricity demand will rise again in the new year, as industries resume operations, schools reopen, and residents return to Johannesburg. As a result, load reduction measures may be reintroduced from the end of January 2025. Any reintroduction of load reduction may occur under extreme circumstances, and with little to no prior notice, should it be necessary to protect the grid from potential collapse.
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