EMALAHLENI – Areas such as Ackerville, Lynnville, and Kwa-Guqa experienced power interruptions due to load reduction on Tuesday, July 2024. The power utility stated that these load reductions are a result of increased unlawful activities, including illegal electricity connections and cable theft in those areas.
“Overloaded transformers due to electricity theft pose a serious risk to human life. We implement load reduction only as a last resort for the shortest periods possible after all other options have been exhausted,” said Monde Bala, Eskom Group Executive for Distribution.
Eskom reported that over 2,000 transformers are at high risk of damage due to overload, with about 900 waiting to be replaced. ” A transformer damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months, protecting Eskom’s assets is in the best interest of all South Africans,” Bala added.
He also noted that equipment failures were significantly reduced in areas where load reduction was implemented previously. In 2022, Kwa-Guqa, known as Ezinambeni, spent over six months without electricity due to a transformer explosion, which led to violent protests, with stores being torched and looted.
Emalahleni-based electrical engineer and innovator Jappie Mashiyane explained that a lack of electrical power points in households contributes to transformer overloading, resulting in load reduction. “When a cable is stolen or there are illegal connections, it causes the transformer to switch off or overload,” he said.
Eskom’s load reduction occurs during peak hours: from 05:00 to 07:00 and 17:00 to 19:00, due to high electricity demand. Eskom advises customers to reduce their electricity consumption and ensure that their electricity is legally bought and connected. “Customers must report illegal activities and are also advised to switch off non-essential appliances, such as heaters and geysers,” Eskom stated.
