Geysers set to be targeted as load-shedding looms

WINDHOEK residents can expect their geysers to be turned off during peak electricity-consumption time in the evenings in an effort to reduce the strain on the power grid.

This comes in the wake of warnings from South African power utility Eskom that due to the cold front in the Western Cape, electricity demand will exceed supply. The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant in Cape Town is currently only running one of its two units while the other is being refuelled, a process expected to last until the end of July.Unit one is running below full capacity since being repaired recently after damage put it out of action last December.In a statement from the City of Windhoek, it said Namibian power utility NamPower had requested it to help lessen the load on the system, as the Western Cape faces mandatory load-shedding.City Public Relations Officer Liz Sibindi told The Namibian that it was not possible to warn residents in advance before turning off their geysers but should it become necessary to exercise this option, it was most likely to occur between 17h00 and 20h00.”They [residents] won’t feel it that much because their geysers would have been on the whole day and the water will still be hot,” said Sibindi.”It is necessary to implement these measures and avoid a complete cut.”Last week, the Electricity Control Board decided to press ahead with investigating the implementation of a shortlist of demand-side management (DSM) measures in efforts to save electricity.These include the use of compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) and solar water heaters.ECB Chief Executive Officer Siseho Simasiku told The Namibian in an interview on Wednesday that Namibia should actively be working towards the implementation of these measures before year-end.In July, the ECB plans to call together local and regional authorities to discuss the way forward.At this time, a final report is also expected to make recommendations on which organisation should implement the measures and the costs involved.Simasiku said it was imperative to step up efforts to increase the purchase of solar water heaters, given Namibia’s abundant sunshine.”When we talk about a shortage of electricity it’s not a joke.It’s going to happen now,” said Simasiku, encouraging consumers to get to know more about what they can do to use electricity more efficiently.The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant in Cape Town is currently only running one of its two units while the other is being refuelled, a process expected to last until the end of July.Unit one is running below full capacity since being repaired recently after damage put it out of action last December.In a statement from the City of Windhoek, it said Namibian power utility NamPower had requested it to help lessen the load on the system, as the Western Cape faces mandatory load-shedding.City Public Relations Officer Liz Sibindi told The Namibian that it was not possible to warn residents in advance before turning off their geysers but should it become necessary to exercise this option, it was most likely to occur between 17h00 and 20h00.”They [residents] won’t feel it that much because their geysers would have been on the whole day and the water will still be hot,” said Sibindi.”It is necessary to implement these measures and avoid a complete cut.”Last week, the Electricity Control Board decided to press ahead with investigating the implementation of a shortlist of demand-side management (DSM) measures in efforts to save electricity.These include the use of compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) and solar water heaters.ECB Chief Executive Officer Siseho Simasiku told The Namibian in an interview on Wednesday that Namibia should actively be working towards the implementation of these measures before year-end.In July, the ECB plans to call together local and regional authorities to discuss the way forward.At this time, a final report is also expected to make recommendations on which organisation should implement the measures and the costs involved.Simasiku said it was imperative to step up efforts to increase the purchase of solar water heaters, given Namibia’s abundant sunshine.”When we talk about a shortage of electricity it’s not a joke.It’s going to happen now,” said Simasiku, encouraging consumers to get to know more about what they can do to use electricity more efficiently.