Johannesburg — THE estimated consumption of electricity in November fell 5,7% or 1122 gigawatt hours (GWh ) compared with the corresponding period in 2007, according to Statistics SA figures.

The government and Eskom have embarked on initiatives to reduce electricity consumption in an attempt to build the country's reserve margin, the difference between installed capacity and peak demand.

Bringing down electricity usage is central in the government's efforts to avert an electricity crisis while the country awaits the commissioning of new coal-fired power stations.

A key feature of the government and Eskom's efforts is the power conservation programme, under which the country's biggest electricity consumers who fail to meet set electricity saving targets will face sanctions.

StatsSA figures, released yesterday, showed a trend towards reduced electricity consumption.

Electricity consumed between September and November last year decreased 2,3% or 1389GWh, the statistics body said.

StatsSA said electricity consumption after seasonal adjustment for the three months to November last year fell 1,5%, compared with the three months to August.

"In the first 11 months of 2008, consumption of electricity was affected by numerous factors that led to reduced levels of consumption, such as load shedding and a continuous drive from Eskom in encouraging users to save on electricity consumption," Stats SA said.

The reduced electricity consumption could not have improved the electricity supply situation much as November also saw a reduction in electricity production.

StatsSA said estimated electricity production fell 5,1% or 1106GWh.

In the three months to November, electricity production fell 1,8% compared with the year-earlier period.

Electricity exports to neighbouring countries fell 2,2%, or 295GWh. StatsSA said electricity imports in November dropped 11,5% or 1237GWh.

"Electricity purchased outside SA in November was considerably below normal due to underperformance of the HCB-Apollo system from northern Mozambique," Stats SA said.