GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Due to the return of a generating unit each at Kriel, Majuba and Matimba power stations, Stage 5 load-shedding will not be implemented today as previously communicated.
Stage 4 load-shedding will continue to be implemented until further notice. Please continue using electricity sparingly.
Receive Eskom load-shedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/ or directly from Eskom's website.
You will be affected as follows:
GEORGE:
- Wednesday 8 March: 12:00 – 14:30 | 20:00 – 22:30
- Thursday 9 March: 02:00 – 04:30 | 10:00 – 12:30 | 18:00 – 20:30
- Friday 10 March: 02:00 – 04:30 | 10:00 – 12:30 | 18:00 – 20:30
Uniondale now uses Misgund load-shedding schedule temporarily
As of 3 March 2023, Eskom is feeding Uniondale power supply from a different region.
Uniondale’s load-shedding schedule now falls under Misgund. According to Eskom, this is a temporary arrangement which should only last approximately a week.
UNIONDALE:
- Wednesday 8 March: 11:00 – 13:30 | 19:00 – 21:30
- Thursday 9 March: 01:00 – 03:30 | 09:00 – 11:30 | 17:00 – 19:30
- Friday 10 March: 01:00 – 03:30 | 09:00 – 11:30 | 17:00 – 19:30
Switching on after load-shedding
Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!
Residents of George must please note that with the extended load-shedding, the Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time.
George's daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.
If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when load-shedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time.
With the extended four-hour load-shedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.
Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after load-shedding.
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality.
Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after load-shedding (especially a 4-hour slot).
The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the load-shedding slot is scheduled from 20:00 – 22:30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22:45 or 23:00.
Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after load-shedding.
Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding.
This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce the current high MVA spikes.
Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the After hours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load-shedding is scheduled to be lifted.
Please be aware of the rotational switching on, and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip that needs to be sorted out.
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