Eskom’s non-stop load-shedding, often at high stages, resulted in the City’s Energy Directorate having to budget an additional R87 million to ensure reliable services in this and the next financial year. Read more below:
‘We’ve added R31 million to the budget to effect inspections and repairs of our Steenbras Hydro Pumped Storage Scheme in the next financial year. This plant must be well maintained to enable the City to provide a level of protection to customers where possible. The plant is working extra hard due to the non-stop nature of load-shedding.
‘Eskom’s load-shedding impact on the City’s operations is profound and therefore another R56 million in budget adjustments in line with the January Adjustments Budget have also been made to cater to some of the impacts in the current financial year.
‘This includes an overtime increase to pay for the spike in faults and service requests due to load-shedding’s negative impact on infrastructure. It also includes an allocation made for security costs for first line electricity response teams having to deal with a rise in damage to infrastructure caused by theft and vandalism under the cover of load-shedding darkness.
‘Load-shedding continues to hammer City infrastructure as it has not been designed for constant load-shedding. Contingency measures are in place as far as possible,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverly van Reenen.
Please report theft and vandalism
Non-stop load-shedding at high stages leaves infrastructure vulnerable. The City monitors hot spot areas but residents are encouraged to report any incidents of theft, vandalism and damage to infrastructure to the City and the South African Police Service.
The City offers a reward of R5 000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest, confiscation of stolen or illegal goods or the handing in of illegal or stolen goods. This reward is also applicable to information leading to the arrest of people vandalising, damaging or stealing electricity infrastructure or installing illegal connections.
Public Emergency Centre
021 480 7700
Report damage to municipal electrical infrastructure:
• SMS: 31220
• Email: power@capetown.gov.za
Source: City Of Cape Town