Eskom calls on all customers to reduce electricity usage, as it declares an emergency

The power system is severely constrained today due to the loss of additional generating units from our power station fleet, reduced imports and the extensive use of emergency reserves. This has necessitated the need for Eskom to declare an emergency is in terms of the approved regulatory protocols, as a measure to protect the national electricity grid.

Eskom is now following the protocol in terms of its emergency procedures in order to secure the power system. We have alerted our key industrial customers and have required them to reduce their load by a minimum of 10% as from 14h00 today. The emergency is in force until 21h00 tonight. This will be reviewed thereafter to determine the way forward.

While we will make every effort to avoid load shedding, we are hopeful that by applying these measures, coupled with support from all electricity consumers, we will achieve the required load reduction necessary to protect the national grid.

Eskom calls on all its commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and retail outlets to immediately switch off geysers and to adjust air-conditioning temperature levels to 23⁰C. As workers leave office buildings this evening we ask that they please switch off lights with the exception of the security lighting, and avoid leaving on air-conditioning overnight.

Residential consumers are called on to switch off geysers, air conditioners, lights and non-essential appliances from 5pm to 9pm.

As a precautionary measure Eskom’s load shedding schedules are available for Eskom direct customers on our website (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/). Customers can also contact our call centre 0860 037 566 for additional information. Load shedding schedules will only be utilised for the duration of the constraint and Eskom will provide regular updates on the status of the power system.

For tips on how to trim 10% off your consumption, please visit www.eskom.co.za/idm .

Die Hessequa Munisipaliteit se Raad is bevoorreg om ‘n Erkenningsgeleentheid vir plaaslike hoërskole te kan aanbied waar skoolhoofde en onderwysers vereer word vir hul puik matriekslaagsyfer, uitstekende prestasies en toegewydheid.

Tydens die Erkenningsgeleentheid het Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale, Gerrit du Plessis Hoërskool, Heidelberg Hoërskool, Albertinia Hoërskool, Hoërskool Langenhoven en Kairos Hoërskool elk ‘n sertifikaat van erkenning ontvang asook ‘n finansiële bydrae vanaf die Hessequa Raad.

Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Raadslid Emor Nel het uitgewys dat ons met reg trots kan wees op die kwaliteit van onderrig en die opregte pogings van hoofde en hul personeel wat ons kinders in ‘n verantwoordelike en geleentheidsgedrewe rigting lei. In die bemarking van Hessequa is die bewys van die uitstekende skole een van die belangrikste aspekte vir oorweging vir toekomstige investeerder/inwoners na kyk.

Alhoewel die top presteerders van elke skool nie die geleentheid kon bywoon nie, is ‘n skrywe asook ‘n blyk van waardering vanaf die Raad aan hulle gestuur om hulle geluk te wens met hul besonderse prestasie van 2013.

Hessequa Munisipaliteit en Raad wens alle skole sterkte toe vir 2014.