…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media. In an effort to safeguard livelihoods, attract investments, and bolster the economy, the City of Joburg has announced its decision to exempt key customers, essential services, and select businesses from load shedding, where network configurations allow.
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New Move to Protect Jobs and Encourage Business Investment
Councillor Jack Sekwaila, MMC for the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), elaborated on the City’s strategy, stating that the implementation of this initiative will commence gradually from early June 2023.
The primary objective is to preserve much-needed jobs and ensure that businesses remain committed to operating within the City.
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Sekwaila emphasized the City’s responsibility to attract investments, retain existing businesses in Joburg, and secure employment opportunities for residents.
He highlighted the detrimental impact of relentless load shedding on economic activity within the City, resulting in business closures and migration to other provinces with reliable electricity supply.
Mitigating the Impact of Load Shedding on Small Businesses
MMC Sekwaila noted that load shedding, coupled with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced many small businesses to shut down.
The new exemption plans aim to sustain economic activity amidst the challenges posed by load shedding.
Exemptions Already in Place for Key Business Customers
According to the MMC, most large power users and key business customers already benefit from load curtailment agreements, exempting them from load shedding.
As part of the ongoing network reconfiguration and the implementation of energy-efficient techniques, additional businesses, particularly those in industrial areas employing a significant workforce, will gradually be excluded from load shedding.
Some Institutions Will Continue to be Affected
While many essential services will be added to the load shedding exemption list, the MMC highlighted that due to the embedded nature of the network, immediate exclusion for all may not be feasible.
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The City has already exempted most health and water services following a government request last year.
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About the Author:
Lola Smith is a highly experienced writer and journalist with over 25 years of experience in the field. Her special interest lies in journalistic writeups, where she can utilize her skills and knowledge to bring important stories to the public eye. Lola’s dedication to her craft is unparalleled, and she writes with passion and precision, ensuring that her articles are informative, engaging, and thought-provoking. She lives in New York, USA.
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