Joburg City Power resorts to load reduction as usage peaks due to drop in temperatures

Johnathan Paoli

THE City of Johannesburg’s power utility – City Power, has announced the beginning of load reduction in certain areas that it said suffer from “exceedingly high” electricity usage caused by the cold weather.

In a statement on Monday, the utility’s spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the load reduction was expected to start on Monday morning, with over 80 areas to be affected and grouped into six blocks, with reduction expected not to exceed 2.5 hours per block.

Mangena said the decision follows failed extensive efforts to encourage customers to use electricity wisely and efficiently in recent weeks.

“Despite warnings about the constrained electricity network in the city, residents have not reduced their electricity consumption, and energy demand has continued to rise,” he said.

Mangena said City Power recorded an increase in the average evening peak load in some areas, which went up by 65%, from 25MW during the summer