Eskom’s national power-alert messages will be flighted on television to encourage countrywide electricity savings, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
Eskom general manager Andrew Etzinger said the power-alert messages would illustrate the current state of electricity supply while asking individuals to respond by reducing electricity use.
The alerts have four status levels — green, orange, red and brown.
Green indicates limited strain on the national supply. Orange indicates an electricity strain — consumers are prompted to switch off non-essential appliances such as tumble dryers and dishwashers.
Red indicates an increased strain on the power supply with consumers prompted to switch off stoves, microwaves, kettles and unnecessary lights.
Brown indicates significant strain and that load-shedding is in progress in parts of the country — consumers are asked to switch off everything that is not absolutely essential, including geysers.
Launched in 2006, the power-alert system proved to be effective in supporting consumers in the Western Cape, said Etzinger.
”We heard stories of young people watching power alert and then going through the house ensuring that lights and appliances were switched off. The public’s response was fantastic. We are confident that during this period the entire country will respond with similar support.”
The demand for power was reduced by almost 150MW and on several occasions supply interruptions were avoided due to concentrated efforts by residential consumers.
Unplanned power failures and higher demands for electricity have resulted in a shortfall of supply. Eskom will have to apply national load-shedding on a rotational basis to conserve electricity during this period.
Through the national power-alert system, Eskom is urging consumers to help conserve energy by turning off air conditioners, lights, pool pumps and other non-critical appliances.
National power alerts would continue until the current situation was resolved, Etizinger said. – Sapa