Eskom’s load reduction initiative shows positive trendline
South African Eskom's equipment failure rate, following the implementation of its load reduction initiative, is showing a positive trend.
Image for illustration purposes
South Africa: South African state-owned power utility Eskom, has announced that its equipment failure rate following the implementation of its load reduction initiative in the Gauteng residential areas on 13 May, 2020, is showing a positive trend.
The parastatal added in a statement that they would like this trend to further improve and contain it during this winter period.
In addition, customers are experiencing fewer outages as a result of the measures in place.
In the past three years in Gauteng, Eskom has recorded a significant number of pole-mounted transformers and mini substations which failed because of network overloading during the winter period.
Motlhabane Ramashi, Gauteng Maintenance and Operations Senior Manager, said, “The measures we have put in place are curbing these failures. As a response to the overloading, we urge our customers in particularly high-density areas and those with multiple and / or backyard dwellings to use only essential energy in an effort to avoid load reductions and prolonged outages due to network faults, as a result of overloading.“
He further stated that the load reductions were implemented in the identified areas or networks that were overloaded. The commitment remains to provide electricity safely without degenerating the assets.
“It is important to run our operations efficiently and curb financial losses as a result of illegal activities that cause overloading, as this is costly and unsustainable. The electricity service is crucial for other essential service providers during the nation’s lockdown period,” Ramashi concluded.
Source: ESI Africa