The Lesotho Electricity Corporation (LEC) Managing Director says the country has to reduce its electricity usage by 10 percent hence the current experienced power load shedding.

Mr. Mokoto Hloaele was addressing the press at LEC Head office on Wednesday. Mr. Hloaele said reducing power usage by 10 percent is everybody's responsibility, therefore urged for LEC customers’ cooperation and advised them to use electricity sparingly to avoid a total blackout of the country.

"Switching off gizzards and lights in the mornings, heaters and air conditioners at night, more especially in the offices could help reduce the expected percentage of power demand".

He said the load shedding has been caused by power shortage in ESKOM, the South African electricity company that supplies power to Lesotho as the country imports 30 Mega Watts of electricity to top up 80 Mega Watts provided by Lesotho’s own electricity supplier, ‘Muela.

Following a similar power shortage of power in South Africa, ESKOM has reduced power supply to Lesotho by 10 percent, therefore expressed need for concerted efforts from all people in the country to meet the expected 10 percent electricity reduction.

In response to the question why LEC cuts power during the critical time of production, thus morning hours, in the Central town where there are more offices, LEC Engineering-General Manager, Mr. Mbele Hoohlo said reduction of power consumption would only be effective if load shedding occurs during peak hours when power demand is high.

Hence, the reason to cut power in the offices during morning hours when electricity consumption is high and cut it in the afternoons in villages alternately to ensure that same people are not affected all the time, he noted.

He added that it is possible that power outage might occur for different reasons unrelated to load shedding and advised people to consult LEC if power outage exceeds four hours.

He noted that Lesotho is not the only country that has been affected by the power outages as load shedding has been effected in all countries within the SADC region except Angola and Mozambique.

Mr. Hoohlo however, said they are still negotiating with the government ways on how best power could be preserved further, saying Lesotho will experience power crises possibly until 2012.

He therefore, advised customers to use electricity efficiently as this could help them reduce the severity of load shedding.

Source: LENA 07/05/2008