NAMPOWER has appealed to all electricity users to help save power after electricity supplies in South Africa were suddenly reduced on Thursday as a result of a tripped turbine at the Koeberg nuclear power station in the Cape Province.
“Customers can assist saving electricity by switching off non-essential electrical equipment such as air-conditioning, geysers and swimming pool pumps during peak times from 07h00 to 11h00 and from 19h00 to 21h00 at night,” NamPower urged on Friday. “All electricity consumers should be ready to manage loads when required,” said John Kaimu of the Corporate Communications Section of NamPower.”We are closely monitoring the situation in South Africa and will provide regular updates of any new developments,” Kaimu said.”The exact duration of these technical problems cannot be estimated.In an attempt to mitigate the situation NamPower has been running all its power stations.”Namibia imports about 50 per cent of its electricity needs from South Africa.The coal-fired Van Eck power station in Windhoek has been switched on.It has a capacity of 120 megawatt (MW), while the Ruacana hydro power station on the Kunene River, which can generate 240 MW, is running at full capacity.On Thursday night, the Paratus diesel plant at Walvis Bay was also activated.It can produce approximately 24 MW of electricity.Meanwhile, Eskom said yesterday it had enough electricity to meet full national demand in South Africa after nearly four days of power shortages.”All electricity consumers should be ready to manage loads when required,” said John Kaimu of the Corporate Communications Section of NamPower.”We are closely monitoring the situation in South Africa and will provide regular updates of any new developments,” Kaimu said.”The exact duration of these technical problems cannot be estimated.In an attempt to mitigate the situation NamPower has been running all its power stations.”Namibia imports about 50 per cent of its electricity needs from South Africa.The coal-fired Van Eck power station in Windhoek has been switched on.It has a capacity of 120 megawatt (MW), while the Ruacana hydro power station on the Kunene River, which can generate 240 MW, is running at full capacity.On Thursday night, the Paratus diesel plant at Walvis Bay was also activated.It can produce approximately 24 MW of electricity.Meanwhile, Eskom said yesterday it had enough electricity to meet full national demand in South Africa after nearly four days of power shortages.
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