Eskom set to implement 9-hour power outage in parts of Gauteng
Eskom has announced that residents in several extensions of Dobsonville, Soweto, will experience a planned electricity interruption on Wednesday, 14 August. The power outage, scheduled from 8:30 to 18:00, is necessary to facilitate critical maintenance work on the distribution network. The affected areas include Dobsonville Extensions 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and old Dobsonville.
In its announcement, Eskom emphasised the importance of this maintenance work to ensure the long-term reliability of the power supply in the region. The utility company urged residents to treat all electrical appliances as live during the outage to prevent any potential hazards.
Eskom also extended its apologies for any inconvenience this temporary disruption may cause and thanked the community for their understanding and cooperation.
Eskom’s battle with load reduction and transformer overloading
While Dobsonville residents prepare for the scheduled maintenance, Eskom continues to grapple with more pervasive challenges across several provinces. The utility has had to implement load reduction measures in areas plagued by transformer overloading. These regions include Limpopo, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West, where approximately 94% of overloaded transformers are located. The primary cause of this overloading is widespread electricity theft and the indiscriminate use of power.
Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution, highlighted the serious risks posed by overloaded transformers, which can fail or even explode, endangering human lives. Bala explained that load reduction is not a decision taken lightly but is a necessary last resort to protect the community and Eskom’s infrastructure.
“A transformer damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months. Protecting Eskom’s assets is in the best interest of all South Africans,” Bala noted.
The consequences of electricity theft
Eskom’s struggle with electricity theft goes beyond illegal connections. It includes a range of criminal activities such as network equipment theft, vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised operations on the network, and purchasing electricity from illegal vendors. These activities have a significant impact, not only on Eskom’s operations but also on the lives of South Africans who depend on a stable power supply.
To mitigate these risks, Eskom employs load reduction in specific areas during times when transformers are most vulnerable to overloading, such as during peak hours in the early morning and evening. Unlike load shedding, which occurs when there is insufficient power generation to meet demand, load reduction is a proactive measure to safeguard both lives and infrastructure.
As Eskom navigates these challenges, residents and businesses are left to ponder: What more can be done to combat electricity theft and ensure a more reliable power supply for all?
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