Power outgages can be planned and unplanned. Planned power cuts happen mostly due to factors such as maintenance and upgrade of the network to prevent foreseeable and unforeseeable power cuts. On the other hand, unplanned power cuts are frequently caused by poor weather conditions, hit poles due to reckless driving, vandalised cables and bare cables left during construction works.
Power cuts of any form affect customers negatively. During this time, customers get devastated as they believe nothing is being done to restore electricity services. It is the responsibility of the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) to ensure the continued availability of electricity. In an effort to address the above concern on electricity interruptions, the Authority established the Quality of Service and Supply Standards (QoSSS) which highlights the magnitude of supply restored and time to restore the supply after interruptions.
Under normal circumstances of planned outages, customers should be notified two days before such powerinterruption, using different media platforms. In cases of large commercial or industrial customers, wherever possible, the licensee and the customer should mutually agree on planned interruptions and the duration should not exceed 8 hours.
In situations of forced or unplanned interruptions, the magnitude of 30% disruption should be restored within 1,5 hours, 60% within 3,5 hours, 90% restored within 7,5 hours, and 100% restored within 24 hours.
Based on the above two situations, unplanned faults should be reported to the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC). Customers should also insist on being provided with notifications on planned interruptions. This would ensure the continued availability of electricity.
