John Kaimu, a spokesperson for NamPower, said that the power utility received a request from Eskom on Tuesday morning to reduce the country’s electricity consumption by 30 mega watts (mW) due to “technical problems” being experienced in South Africa.

This week Eskom warned that severe wet weather being experienced in South Africa could result in cut power if it affected electricity pylons and “other critical electrical infrastructure”.
It declared a “state of power supply emergency”, according to Kaimu, in accordance with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) agreement, which requires all countries importing electricity from South Africa to co-operate by implementing demand-side management measures.
The Eskom request also applies to Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland and the south of Mozambique, said Kaimu.
At the time of the request, Namibia was importing 238 MW from Eskom.
“In an attempt to manage the load and prevent power system collapse, NamPower is currently in consultation with large power users such as mines, electricity distribution regulations and local authorities to reduce their usage,” said Kaimu. “That is the first step.”
All businesses were also urged to turn off non-essential lighting and office equipment during the day and overnight.
The power utility has imposed such restrictions on domestic use as turning off all non-essential lighting, geysers and household appliances in standby mode such as hi-if systems, video and DVD players.
Residential consumers were also encouraged to use electricity sparingly by keeping lights off in rooms that are not occupied, and by using hot water, air-conditioners and heaters sparingly.
Kaimu called on home owners to use microwave ovens rather than stoves.
“30 mW are quite significant,” Kaimu told the Economist. “It’s enough to power a big mine such as Rössing Uranium or a town as big as Walvis Bay. That translates to about 10 percent of our consumption.”
Namibia’s consumption peaks at 450 mW, mainly in winter.