SABC and Eskom will run Power Bulletins on SABC Channel’s “SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3”.
“Power Bulletins” will be aired on TV in the mornings, in the afternoons and during early primetime starting at 5:30pm through to 7:30pm.
The announcements, which would follow the weather forecast format, would run for 60 seconds on all three television channels for five days a week until the end of the year.
The radio announcements would be run three times a day – morning, midday and afternoon – and would also continue until December.
“The power bulletin will not replace the power alert campaign that is currently running on eNCA, eTV, DStv, and the SABC television channels.”
“Taking four simple steps over the four hours of the peak period can reduce demand for energy during peak times.”
These steps were:
– to switch off all geysers and pool pumps during peak hours.
– to switch off all non-essential lighting.
– to find alternatives to electrical heaters, such as dressing warmly or using gas heaters.
– to respond to alert messages by switching off all appliances not in use.
“The proposed planned maintenance over the winter period is considered fixed, and must be implemented,” said Eskom CEO Brian Dames.
“We therefore urge all customers to partner with us to save electricity. This will ensure that adequate space is created for the planned maintenance, while ensuring there is sufficient operating reserve.”
“The electricity supply system continues to be constrained, but we have put comprehensive plans in place to manage this,” said Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba.
“As we approach the winter and make South Africans participate in monitoring their own personal impact, Eskom and the SABC have collaborated to create an exciting initiative to educate and inform consumers about the country’s electricity status,” he said.
