By Samkele Mchunu
City Power said due to the current cold weather conditions, it is experiencing a further increase in energy consumption levels
Johannesburg – City Power has issued an urgent warning to residents about potential prolonged power outages due to a significant increase in electricity consumption, driven by the current cold weather conditions. This warning comes in the wake of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasting a sharp drop in temperatures starting Monday.
With the coldest weather expected to hit from Monday through Tuesday, City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena has called on residents to use electricity sparingly to avoid further strain on the power grid. “City Power urges customers to reduce the rate at which they are using electricity. With the temperature dropping, we observe energy consumption levels increasing at a very high rate,” Mangena stated.
Mangena highlighted that the network is already under significant pressure, with recent weeks showing a sharp increase in electricity demand. “We have been recording a sharp increase in electricity demand, exerting unbearable pressure on the network and its resources. We appeal to our customers to use energy efficiently to prevent overloading the network,” he said. Failure to reduce consumption could lead to equipment failure and prolonged outages, he warned.
Residents are advised to seek alternative methods to stay warm and avoid illegal connections and meter tampering, which exacerbate the network’s strain. Areas with particularly high consumption levels include Alexandra, Bryanston, Fleurhof, Florida, Freedom Park, Hospital Hill, Kliptown, Klipfontein, Lawley, Matholesville, Mayibuye, Mountain View, Mulbarton, Naturena, Northcliff, Pennyville, Pimville Zone 9, Prescast, Princess, Slovo, Thembelihle, Tshepisong, and Vlakfontein.
Eskom’s Update on Load Shedding
In related news, Eskom has announced that load shedding remains suspended due to ongoing improvements in the reliability of its generation fleet. South Africa has enjoyed 65 consecutive days without load shedding, a streak not seen since the period between December 5, 2021, and February 2, 2022.
City Power’s plea to reduce electricity consumption is critical in maintaining this stability and preventing the resurgence of load shedding. The utility’s appeal underscores the importance of community cooperation in managing energy resources during peak demand periods.
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