By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
State owned power utility Eskom says it was implementing a load-limiting project nationally during stages 1 to 4 of load-shedding, with the pilot starting on Friday in Fourways, Johannesburg.
The pilot will focus on select customers with smart meters as part of a demand-side management programme. The idea is to manage and optimise the supply and demand side of electricity on the grid during lower stages of load shedding, it said.
“Through load limiting measures during stages 1 to 4 of load shedding, customers’ electricity capacity will be reduced from the 60/80 Amps to 10 Amps. This will allow customers to continue to use essential appliances with a reduced capacity of up to 10 Amps,” Eskom said.
An hour before the start of load shedding, the system will prompt customers to reduce their consumption to 10 Amps by sending a message to their customer interface unit (CIU) and cellphone.
The system will provide the customer with four opportunities to reduce their consumption; thereafter, if the load has not been reduced, the meter will automatically switch off the electricity supply for the duration of the load shedding period.
Eskom is appealing to customers who have elected to be part of the pilot to partner and ensure that the impact of load shedding is reduced.
“There are numerous benefits to this approach for both the customers and Eskom,” it said.
The benefit for customers is that they will have access to minimal usage of electricity during lower stages of load shedding.
“The success of this phase of the project depends on the partnership between Eskom and the customers, as the outcomes will influence how the national rollout will unfold,” it said.
Meanwhile Eskom says load shedding will be reduced to stage 1 on Saturday from 5am to 4pm, thereafter it will be followed by stage 3 from 4pm until midnight.
On Sunday, load shedding will be suspended during the day until 4pm – whereafter stage 3 kicks in again.
In a statement, the power utility says the breakdowns have reduced to 14 675MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance has slightly increased to 3 908MW.
“Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Arnot, Kendal and Kriel power stations was returned to service,” says Eskom.
“Further delays in returning to service a generating unit at Grootvlei and two generating units at Hendrina power station are contributing to the current capacity constraints.
“Eskom teams are working around the clock to return these generating units to service over the next few days,” power utility said.