After an explosion occurred at the Koedoespoort Substation, located to the north of Pretoria, on Friday afternoon, officials in Tshwane City have stated that they are unable to provide an Estimated Time of Restoration (ETR).
According to Selby Bokaba, spokesperson of the city, a transformer located in the substation caught fire, resulting in a dense, dark smoke rising into the air. This incident has caused a power failure, leaving numerous residents in regions 2, 3, and 6 without electricity.
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“The Tshwane Emergency Services was informed about the incident and resources from two fire stations were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire as soon as technicians switched off the power supply and rendered the area safe for operations.
“The Energy and Electricity Department is currently on site assessing the extent of the damage. Prior to the explosion, our technicians were busy with repair work at the said substation following multiple cable theft two weeks ago.”
Bokaba states that it is too soon to determine when the power will be reinstated since the testing process is still ongoing.
“Transformer 1C had been inactive and isolated, without being connected to any end-users. Tragically, its explosion had repercussions on Transformer 1B, which supplies power to several secondary substations in Region 2.”
“The EED team is presently assessing the overhead lines’ reliability to identify the areas that can be restored with electricity.”
The impacted neighbourhoods comprise Waverley, Moregloed, Bergtuin, Koedoespoort industrial, Weavindpark, Lindopark, Eastlynn, Jan Niemand Park, Silverton industrial, Kilnerpark, and Queenswood.
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The affected secondary substations include, Pumulani Primary 132KV Substation, Montana Secondary 11KV Substation, Haartebeesfontein Secondary Substation, as well as part of Doornpoort and Breedt Secondary Substation 11KV Substation.
Electricity was successfully reinstated in certain areas on Friday night.
