Tuesday, 12 May 2020: Eskom in
Gauteng has identified areas with significantly high non-technical losses
mainly in residential areas. The power utility continues to record a
substantially high trend of energy demand during peak periods in the mornings
and evenings between 05:00 and 09:00,
and again between 17:00 and 20:00
respectively. Eskom’s immediate response is to safeguard its assets from repeated
failure and explosions as a result of overloading caused by illegal connections,
meter bypasses and tampering with electricity infrastructure that are on an
increase.
“It is prudent
for us to take deliberate measures to significantly reduce the extremely high costs
associated with repeated equipment failure resulting from overloading, which costs
more as the power is indiscriminately used during peak periods. This
unprecedented measure is necessary to contain the situation. We deem the
constant repairs and replacement of equipment that fails before we can realise
their investment as unwarranted, and this will not sustain our operations
should we continue in this trajectory. This is in line with our priorities of
containing operational costs and improve plant performance,” said Motlhabane Ramashi,
Senior Manager, Maintenance and Operations in the Gauteng Operating Unit.
The implementation of this initiative will be effected
on a rotational basis in order to curb rising costs. Eskom will continuously
monitor the developments to determine any improvements. The power utility will keep
conducting audits, remove illegal connections and act against meter tampering,
as well as impose penalties for any transgression, while driving this
initiative that is part of the multipronged strategy.
“We will carry on to partner and collaborate with the
affected communities and stakeholders to ensure that electricity is delivered
to all customers, as we are of the view
that electricity remains an essential service”, concluded Ramashi.
Ends