AfrElec: Eskom resorts to load reduction with onset of winter

South Africa’s state-run power utility Eskom has avoided implementing rolling power outages, or load shedding, for 104 consecutive days as a result of the recently achieved sufficient generation capacity. However, the issue of network overloading has resurfaced with the onset of winter.

In a press statement on July 9, the utility announced its decision to implement load reduction in areas of Eskom supply prone to network overloading.

Eskom explained that during the winter season, there was an exponential increase in energy demand in areas with high levels of electricity theft, by-passing of meters and illegal connections, which caused extreme overloading of the distribution network.

The utility underscored that load reduction was not load shedding, which was implemented when the national grid was constrained and there was insufficient capacity to generate electricity to meet demand.

“Load reduction is a long-established process that Eskom uses in specific areas when there is sufficient electricity available, but a transformer’s integrity is at risk due to overloading,” Eskom said in the statement.

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