Tshwane implements load reduction in Soshanguve

As of 10 June 2024, the City of Tshwane started implementing load reduction in and around areas of Soshanguve that are supplied by Soshanguve 132/11kv Substation.

The inclement weather has increased consumers’ electricity demand and the available grid is unable to cope with the strain, hence the decision to embark on the reduction of energy consumption from 18h00 until 22h00 daily.

The move to implement load reduction in Soshanguve was informed by the current status of the Soshanguve 132/11kv Substation which is experiencing power overload as a result of illegal connections.

The city will soon embark on an aggressive campaign to disconnect illegal electricity connections in the area that are the main contributing factor to the grid overload.

Under this objective, the city implores the community to report illegal connections, so that those that are behind this commission of a crime can face the full might of the law.

The option of load reduction has an advantage to consumers in that it prevents extended and unplanned power outages, which could last for days, as the electrical protection schemes are bound to trip if overloading is not managed. It also saves the City from incurring unnecessary costs which might come as a result of extensive damages to the substation.

Due to the vulnerability of the said substation, the city was faced with choices: to either leave the feeders to trip on their own, which would result in two secondary substations being off and 80% of Jukulyn losing power, or to allow the region to manage the load reduction.

The only rational option under the circumstances is to manage load reduction to ensure that the grid is not compromised.

Consumers are requested to always switch off non-essential appliances and alternate the use of high consumption appliances (geysers, kettles, stoves and heaters) to reduce the prospect of overloading the electricity system. Furthermore, consumers are urged to reduce consumption for the city to ensure continuous supply of electricity.

Hereunder is a schedule for load reduction effective from 18h00 until 22h00 for this
week:

Tshwane’s team of technicians will monitor the performance of the grid and may increase or reduce
the number of areas affected as and when it becomes necessary. The city will communicate the
following week’s load reduction schedule every Friday to keep the affected consumers informed at
all times.

Consumers are urged to treat the system as live at all times.

The City of Tshwane apologizes profusely for the inconvenience that may be caused as a
result of the above-mentioned load reduction.