Load shedding has become a manner of life in South Africa as Eskom strives to cope with the ever increasing demand for electricity supply.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry held an Electricity Stakeholder Engagement on 4 June 2015.  The main purpose of this engagement was for eThekwini Electricity and Eskom to unpack their load shedding philosophy to big business. The session covered:
â-  How the load shedding schedule is structured
â-  What can be done for customers

Stakeholders present were given a platform to have their say and propose solutions to load shedding constraints. The question of load shedding vs load curtailing was raised. The panel was asked if they intended on implementing a programme that recognised businesses that had reduced their energy usage. Suggestions from attending businesses included:
â-  More transparency needed from the Municipality and Eskom
â-  Shed first then curtail
â-  Forming company groups for those willing to participate in curtailment but did not qualify due to the 5MVA demand requirement.

This would be assessed on a case by case basis by the city. The Chamber would help facilitate the above process.

For enquiries contact Alta Keyter:
keytera@durbanchamber.co.za