X users remain dismayed by Eskom

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Social media users believe that Eskom has not turned the corner regarding load shedding.

Earlier this week the state-owned entity announced that the country has managed to evade load shedding for over 100 consecutive days due to sufficient production capacity to provide energy across the nation.

However, with the arrival of winter, the issue of network overloading has resurfaced.

Earlier today, SABC News’ social media account asked users in a poll, “Do you think South Africa has turned the corner regarding load shedding?”

77% of respondents believe Eskom’s current stance on electricity supply is temporary, while 23% think that Eskom has successfully managed to improve the energy supply in the country.

 

Do you think South Africa has turned the corner regarding load shedding?#SABCElectricityFocus #loadshedding

— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 11, 2024

Although Eskom has turned the tide on load shedding the power utility announced in July that they would introduce load reduction to safeguard human lives as a result of energy theft.

The concept of load reduction has been questioned by users on X (Twitter).

 

There’s this monster called load reduction running for 4 hours twice a day. So it is the same nothing changed.

— Percy 🇿🇦🇯🇴 (@Dashiqi) July 11, 2024

Eskom Group Executive for Distribution Monde Bala says overloaded transformers are a result of theft which threatens human life. Load reduction is implemented as the last resort as all other options have been exhausted.

The energy supplier emphasises that load reduction is not load shedding and is only implemented in high-risk areas due to increased energy use. This increased energy consumption is prevalent during peak hours when demand is the highest.

Transformer overload is most common between 5:00 – 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“A transformer damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months, protecting Eskom’s assets is in the best interest of all South Africans,” adds Bala.

Eskom encourages clients to limit their energy use to avoid sudden load reductions and power outages, using a variety of energy-saving methods