Customers urged to reduce electricity usage

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City Power has appealed to the residents of Johannesburg to reduce the usage of electricity.

The power provider said due to the current cold weather conditions, they are experiencing a further increase in energy consumption levels.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned that showers are expected, with temperatures dropping further on Sunday afternoon or evening and extending into Monday.

The worst of the cold weather is expected from Monday through to Tuesday.

During this period, the utility’s spokesperson Isaac Mangena urged customers to use electricity sparingly as failure to do so may result in the further energy demand which will put a severe strain on the network.

He further said currently they are experiencing high call volumes from customers across their areas of supply.

“Though we have our systems and resources in place, we need customers to assist in ensuring that the network remains operating at its normal rate.

“We urge customers to reduce the rate at which they are using electricity as with the temperature dropping, we observe the energy consumption levels increasing at a very high rate,” he remarked.

Mangena stated that they have been warning their customers of the strain on the system due to the high levels of electricity usage.

Sharp increase in electricity demand

He added; “In recent weeks, we have been recording sharp increase in electricity demand, exerting unbearable pressure on the network and resources thereof.

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“We would like to continue the appeal to our customers to use energy efficiently to prevent
overloading the network.

“The network overload may cause the electricity equipment to fail which will result in prolonged outages. We urge customers to use alternative methods to keep warm, refrain from illegal connections and meter tampering as these contribute significantly in overloading the network.”