Despite repeated pleas from this publication, Eskom has chosen to proceed with scheduled load reduction on Christmas Day.
The power utility announced that the load reduction will take place from 17:00 until 22:00 on 25 December 2024, affecting parts of KAE, including in Kaalfontein, Ebony Park and Ivory Park.
In recent years, Eskom has suspended load reduction on significant days like Christmas. However, this year, the implementation of load reduction during this festive period will go ahead.
Eskom’s Load Reduction Practices:
• Daily Implementation: Load reduction is implemented on a rotational basis during the following peak hours:
• 05:00 to 09:00
• 17:00 to 22:00
Targeted Areas:
Load reduction is not applied everywhere. Residents may notice that some kasis are unaffected, while others are impacted more frequently.
Reason for Implementation:
Eskom states that load reduction is enforced in areas with high instances of illegal connections and electricity theft. This measure is intended to prevent transformer damage and maintain the stability of the power supply.
The utility emphasizes that load reduction is necessary to avoid the overloading of transformers, which could result in prolonged outages.
How to Help End Load Reduction:
Residents are urged to report illegal connections and theft to Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 2722. By reporting such incidents, communities can:
• Contribute to a more stable and reliable power supply.
• Protect infrastructure from damage.
• Potentially reduce or eliminate load reduction in affected areas.
This Christmas Day, many residents of KAE face a “Black Christmas,” as load reduction disrupts the festive spirit in several areas.
By working together to tackle electricity theft and illegal connections, KAE can strive for a brighter and uninterrupted future.