The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has refuted allegations that load reduction unfairly targets poor communities.
Speaking during an inquiry by the Human Rights Commission, NERSA regulatory specialist Vuyiswa Magubane explained that load reduction is primarily implemented in areas where electricity theft and illegal connections are prevalent.
During its initial hearing, the commission heard claims that Eskom was disproportionately applying load reduction measures in disadvantaged areas.
However, on the second day of hearings, Magubane clarified that the practice is not intentionally aimed at poor communities but rather occurs more frequently in areas with high rates of non-payment and illegal electricity usage.
“Load reduction is meant to protect the infrastructure only. It’s meant to ensure that the infrastructure is not operated beyond its design limits,” Magubane stated.
“it is not meant to say that it’s targeted for communities, it’s just prevalent in poor communities because that’s where you’d normally find issues of illegal connections.”
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