City Power implements load reduction as grid takes strain

JOHANNESBURG - Despite 75 days without load shedding, starting from Monday, some Johannesburg residents will have to contend with load reduction.

According to City Power, its systems have come under massive strain over the past few days.

The outages are set to run during peak times from 6am to 10am, and 4pm to 10pm, in high-density areas.

City Power said the implementation of load reduction was to protect the grid from total collapse.

The power interruptions will be in areas with high usage levels that threaten to overload electricity equipment.

The utility said the decision followed extensive efforts to encourage customers to use electricity sparingly, with geysers highlighted as the biggest electricity guzzlers, accounting for up to 50% of the monthly household energy costs.

The stringent measures will run concurrently with the city's planned smart meter load-limiting campaign set to come into effect in July.

The list of areas to be affected by the load reduction can be found on City Power's website and social media pages.