Load shedding is a harsh reality which many people from cities and smaller towns all over South Africa are dealing with.
As Eskom faces the challenge of a constrained power system which will affect the system, until a substantial new power capacity is available, load shedding is carried out countrywide as a controlled option to respond to unplanned events, to protect the power system from a total blackout.
To date, Newcastillians have remained relatively untouched by the implications of load shedding, unlike our friends in the surrounding towns. But for how much longer will we remain unaffected?
On March 18, Newcastle Municipality uploaded a post onto social media, explaining Newcastle might face possible load shedding.
Dr Dumisani Thabethe, head of communications for Newcastle Municipality, elaborates the town’s residents will need to seriously anticipate the possibility of load shedding.
“I will be speaking to the technical services and electrical department today, March 20, to establish what is planned. If load shedding is necessary, we will be putting a load shedding schedule out.”
How bad will the situation be?
While he cannot confirm the extent of the load shedding schedule, if it does materialise, Dr Thabethe says it should not be too bad.
“The Newcastle Municipality will try to keep it to a minimal,” he says.
As the possibility of load shedding cannot be confirmed until meetings with the relevant departments, Dr Thabethe urges residents to use electricity sparingly and avoid wastage.
How can you save electricity at home?
- Turn off unnecessary lights
- Take shorter showers, as hot water is expensive
- Unplug unused electronics, as standby power does take up a substantial amount of electricity
- Hang your laundry on the washing line, instead of using the tumble dryer
With plans underway for load shedding, what are your views on the situation? What other steps do you have to save electricity? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
