Dear City Power,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the unplanned outages in many areas and their impact on the load shedding situation in South Africa. The citizens of this country are suffering, and it is unacceptable that this issue has not been addressed adequately. 

We demand that the areas that have experienced any unplanned outages should be exempt from future load shedding for the same amount of hours as the outage. This is a practical solution that would promote fairness for the areas that have suffered and reduce the impact of load shedding.

Let me explain this simply:

Imagine Eskom needs to generate 2000 MW of electricity (like Stage 2). However, due to unplanned outages, more than 2000 MW of electricity, or roughly 2200 MW, is being shed.This extra 200 MW is what we call "overshedding." We believe that the areas that have suffered from unplanned outages should be exempt from load shedding for the same amount of hours as the outage was. This way, Eskom will still be getting the 2000 MW they need, and those affected areas will not have to suffer twice.So, Loadshedding + Unplanned Outages = Overshedding

It is unacceptable that the constant connection and reconnection of substations result in unplanned outages and contribute to the load shedding quota. The people of South Africa deserve better, and City Power must show that they are committed to providing a reliable and fair power supply.

I do not understand why this solution has not been implemented yet, despite the cries of the people for relief from the burden of load shedding. It shows a strong unwillingness to reduce the impact of load shedding and an absence of concern for the people.

This is an urgent matter, and I am calling on City Power to take immediate action. Exempting areas that have experienced prolonged unplanned outages from load shedding is a necessary step in providing a fair and reliable power supply to all citizens.

South African people are suffering a difficult time with the non-stop load shedding. The load shedding hours have increased from 141 hours in 2018 to 2881 hours in 2022, which is a significant burden for the citizens. I hope you will consider my argument and work towards an urgent solution that is fair for all affected areas.

We have been crying for this for so long, and even my letter that was published in the Citizen in 2022 went unanswered:

Powering Up for Change: The Battle Against Overshedding

As South Africans, we have a constitutional right to access information and the right to receive services, including electricity, from our service providers. According to the National Code of Practice NRS048-9 Implementation, service providers like City Power are accountable for ensuring that their services are delivered efficiently and effectively. The Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 outlines the rights and obligations of electricity customers, including the right to receive a safe, reliable, and adequate supply of electricity and the right to request a reconnection or transfer of supply.

The National Code of Practice NRS048-9 Implementation (NCOP) allows for exclusions in certain circumstances, such as power outages, so it is vital that the implementation of this code could allow for the exclusion of areas affected by unplanned outages from further load shedding. So, what happens when the service falls short of our expectations?

Enter "Overshedding" - the combination of loadshedding and unplanned outages. This is a harsh reality for many South Africans, who endure not only the scheduled power cuts but also unanticipated blackouts caused by loadshedding tripping the substations, leading to further damage to the system. In some cases, the unplanned outages can last up to a week, causing businesses to struggle, students to fall behind on their studies, and leaving residents in the dark both physically and emotionally.

Loadshedding + Unplanned outages = Overshedding

City Power is giving Eskom more than they ask for when we add unplanned outages to the loadshedding quota. This is a waste, unfair, and unacceptable that the affected areas do not receive compensation in the form of immunity for the same number of hours they are severely impacted by the unplanned outages.

That's why we are launching a campaign to demand immunity from unplanned outages for areas under City Power's care. No more excuses, no more justifications. It's time for real change, and with your help, we can make it happen.

This is an urgent matter, and I am calling on City Power to take immediate action. Exempting areas that have experienced prolonged unplanned outages from load shedding is a crucial step in providing a fair and dependable power supply to all citizens.

We are calling on all South Africans to join us in this fight. Sign our petition and spread the word. Our aim is to gather 5000 signatures and send a clear message to City Power and its CEO - enough is enough. We deserve better.

https://www.change.org/stop-overshedding

So, let's shine a light on the issue of overshedding and power up for change. Together, we can make a difference.

I would like to encourage everyone to sign this petition to show your support for this important cause.

Together, we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

C. Fleming
Randburg Resident