The maintenance work on the pumped storage scheme, which included the internal inspection of the 132kV switchgear and overhead line repairs among others, has been completed in time for the winter months ahead.

‘We scheduled maintenance; have completed the work done within the promised timeframes and should load-shedding occur in the weeks or months to come, we will be able to assist our City-supplied customers if we have spare generation capacity.

‘In winter, peak time typically falls between 18:00 and 20:00 in the evenings. Outside of that window, the City may at times have spare capacity which can be used to offset load-shedding during Stage 1 or reduce a higher stage to a lower stage e.g. from Stage 2 to Stage 1.

‘It shows how important it is for municipalities to be able to use various sources of energy and not to be primarily dependent on one source as provided by one provider such as Eskom. If we were to be allowed to purchase power from independent power producers in addition to that which we have access to from Eskom, we would be able to make use of some cleaner and diversified resources which we could also harness to increase energy security for our residents. That is why we have a pending court action where the City is seeking to be allowed to purchase energy from independent power producers (IPPs). Currently, this is not allowed.
 
‘With the winter months approaching we encourage our residents to look at ways to use energy wisely as traditionally energy usage goes up in winter, especially in the evening peak time,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti.

How it works

• Electricity generated during relatively low-cost off-peak periods is used to pump water from a lower to an upper storage reservoir.
• During periods of peak demand, the water is released back to the lower reservoir, thereby generating electricity like a conventional hydroelectric power station.
• Hydroelectricity is produced using the gravitational force of falling or flowing water to power an electricity generator.

The Western Cape does not have a big enough body of water to produce the amount of electricity we’d need to meet all of our power needs in Cape Town and surrounds. We do have small hydro generators on schemes like the Steenbras scheme. This is why the City can sometimes avoid load-shedding, or remain on a lesser stage than Eskom has requested.

Steenbras scheme facts

• The Steenbras power station was the first hydro-electric pumped storage scheme in Africa when it was built more than 30 years ago.
• Each of the station’s four 45 000 kW generator units act as a pump-motor in one mode and a turbine-generator in the other.
• This facility helps to reduce the demand for electricity during peak times.

The City continues to look at all options to reduce the impact of load-shedding in the event that it occurs.

As always, residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the City’s electricity saving page www.savingelectricity.org.za

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