Eskom says it also reduces its electricity consumption
JOBURG - Faced with a severely constrained power system that has led to several spates of load shedding, Eskom said it too has had to make adjustments to curtail its electricity consumption.
This follows claims by the members of the public that the power utility was not adhering to its own directives to use electricity sparingly.
Referring particularly to Eskom’s Megawatt Park offices in Sunninghill, northern Johannesburg resident Sean Volschenk said he failed to understand why the building’s lights remained on while the country was being hit by more frequent load shedding.
“You would think someone at Eskom would take responsibility to ensure they lead by example, and at least turn the lights off at night,” said Volschenk.
He claimed that on occasion, he observed surrounding areas being plunged into darkness due to forced power outages while Eskom’s offices remained lit.
From the N1 freeway I could see Megawatt Park glistening in the middle of a very dark looking Sandton, he said.
However, Eskom’s media desk said the power utility’s buildings were affected by load shedding as they fell within municipal load shedding schedules.
“We do have back-up generators like most businesses to light our offices, including Megawatt Park.”
The utility also had power saving initiatives including lights at the power utility’s offices automatically switching off at night, its media desk explained.
Some areas within Megawatt Park also have motion sensors, meaning that the area becomes lit only when there is movement inside the building and only security-related lights are kept on at night, it said.
“Eskom has installed rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar systems at its head office in Sunninghill for self-consumption. They supplement what the head office draws from the grid and therefore reduces the load on the grid.”
According to Eskom, the rooftop PV at Megawatt Park produces enough energy to power 250 standard homes.
Further, Eskom has installed solar panels in the car park at Megawatt Park in 2012.
Eskom has successfully completed five PV installations in the last two years. These PV installations include Megawatt Park (PV and
concentrated photovoltaics), Lethabo and Kendal power stations.
In addition, Rosherville PV is currently out on tender and Grootvlei PV is in progress.
