#BedfordviewPower – Eskom restores power ahead of schedule
Supply was restored on Thursday, December 2 at 22:00 to the Bedfordview substation and the affected customers in Bedfordview.
Eskom has successfully restored supply, two days ahead of schedule, to the Bedfordview substation which supplies the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) Bedfordview customers.
The power utility had initially estimated that supply could be restored within four to five days, but committed to working around the clock to accelerate the repair process.
Supply was restored on Thursday, December 2 at 22:00 to the Bedfordview substation and the affected customers in Bedfordview.
#Bedfordview update: cable has been energized. Switching back started early hours of the morning already. All power to Bedfordview should be back on.
— CoE_Call_Centre (@CoE_Call_Centre) December 3, 2021
The power outage in Bedfordview was a result of attempted cable theft which is on the increase in Gauteng.
“We would like to thank the team that worked tirelessly on the project, the support received from CoE Executive Mayor, Tania Campbell, the Bedfordview Ward 20 Councillor, Jill Humphreys, Pizza Perfect in Bedfordview, and the community of Bedfordview which remained patient throughout this ordeal,” said Mashangu Xivambu, the maintenance and operations manager in Gauteng.
Previously reported
#BedfordviewPower: Power could be restored on Saturday – Eskom
Eskom technicians have started joining the second section of the damaged line after successfully completing the first join earlier.
Satisfactory progress on the repair work has been made, despite challenges posed by the rain which caused some delays.
Eskom estimates that supply could be restored on Saturday, December 4.
Bedfordview – Eskom successfully connects the first joint of the cable pic.twitter.com/PlZwPGgSQM
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) December 2, 2021
“As much as our focus is on speeding up supply restoration, the safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. No operating condition or urgency of service will justify exposing anyone to risks arising out of this project or cause them injury or damage to the environment.
“It was encouraging and heart-warming to get a visit from the new City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) executive mayor, Tania Campbell and the Bedfordview Ward 20 Councillor, Jill Humphreys who has become a daily visitor to the site,” said Mashangu Xivambu, maintenance and operations manager in Gauteng.
#BedfordviewPower: Eskom fast tracks repairs to restore power
Despite the rain, last night and this morning, repairs to the 132kV Bedfordview power cable are set to go ahead this morning.
Eskom Gauteng spokesperson, Amanda Qithi informed the NEWS this morning that measures put in place yesterday to prevent flooding of the site worked as intended.
Also read: #BedfordviewPower: Repairs on track despite delays
Yesterday morning on-site teams had to pump water out of the excavation site before work could be commenced.
Eskom assured residents that teams were working around the clock to fast track repairs to the cable.
“The controls definitely assisted, especially the sandbags, which prevent the water from flowing into the trenches,” Qithi said.
#BedfordviewPower: Repairs on track despite delays
Repairs to the 132kV power cable supplying Bedfordview are on track.
Eskom Gauteng spokesperson, Amanda Qithi told the NEWS on site this afternoon that technicians suffered several setbacks including last night’s rain.
“This morning technicians first had to pump out the trench before work could begin”.
It has been estimated that repairs to the cable will cost around R5-million once completed.
Speaking on the time it has taken for the repairs Qithi said the new section of cable had to be carefully installed.
“Each of the two joins on the cable needs to be heated for 12 hours and then cooled for five hours before the joining process can be undertaken. The joining of the new cable with the existing cable is an eight-hour process for each join,” she said.
Eskom working around the clock on damages affecting Bedfordview
substation pic.twitter.com/r9pVzVLgFo— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) December 1, 2021
This afternoon, Ekurhuleni executive mayor, Tania Campbell and ward 20 councillor, Jill Humphreys also visited the site on Main Reef Road where repairs are underway.
Campbell thanked residents for their continued patience.
“We hope that by Friday the process to start restoring power to Bedfordview can begin. We know there are many frustrated residents. There are old age homes and a hospital that is running off generated power and this costs money”.
She added that the impact on businesses, especially small businesses has a knock-on effect.
“Many cannot afford to run their businesses on generated power. These are businesses that employ residents from their own and neighbouring communities.
“Many of these businesses are also still feeling the impact of Covid-19 and this power outage is placing additional strain on the Bedfordview business sector”.
Humphreys applauded the work of contractors on-site and in Ekurhuleni.
“The Ekurhuleni electrical team has really been trying to assist wherever they can”.
She also said that the outage has also once again brought out the best in the Bedfordview community.
“It thrills me to no extent to see residents from Bedfordview and surrounds helping each other out in the way that they are,” she said.
#BedfordviewPower: Repairs to damaged cable underway
Bedfordview residents can expect to be without power for another two days.
Repairs to the damaged cable are currently underway and according to ward 20 councillor, Jill Humphreys it is expected to take several more days.
“It is now clearly established that this outage has occurred as a result of attempted cable theft,” she shared with residents yesterday on social media.
#EskomGauteng @City_Ekurhuleni Outage Update
We have managed to dig about 25m of trenches and started shoring to stabilize the trenches to ensure safety of employees.
We are working around the clock to fast track repairs to try and restore supply to Bedfordview substation. pic.twitter.com/tg5YthVe0k
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) November 30, 2021
“The one Eskom power cable leading into Bedfordview was deliberately and obviously damaged.
“The repair process is sensitive and involves heating the cable to be installed, for nine hours,” Humphreys said in her update.
She added that during the installation process everything needs to be protected from the elements, so a tent will be erected on site.
As of yesterday, it was anticipated that the process could take two to three days to complete.
She told the NEWS that the timeframes given were estimates at best and would depend on a variety of factors. Humphreys advised residents to move frozen and refrigerated foods to friends and family where possible.
#BedfordviewPower – Attempted cable theft blamed for outage
Eskom has said that an attempted cable theft incident is the cause of a large-scale power outage in Bedfordview.
The extent of the damage to electricity infrastructure, as a result of the incident, could see Bedfordview residents and businesses without power for the next four to five days.
“Eskom has worked around the clock to locate the point where the cable theft occurred, assessed the extent of the damage caused and prepared for repairs.
Also read: #BedfordviewPower – Fault could take 7 days to repair
“Due to the extent of the damages caused by the attempted cable theft and vandalism of the electricity infrastructure it is estimated that supply could be restored within four to five days,” said Eskom’s Ronel Kotze.
The attempted theft was reported to the SAPS for investigation.
“We are engaging the City of Ekurhuleni and we will continue to communicate as more information becomes available on the repairs and restoration of supply.
“CoE customers are advised to contact the municipality directly for all their electricity-related enquiries.”
The municipality can be contacted on 0860 543 000, or the City’s website: www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
#BedfordviewPower – Fault could take 7 days to repair
9.40am, November 30
The large cable which feeds power to Bedfordview has faulted.
“This cable feeds the entire suburb of Bedfordview. It is the only one,” Humphreys said.
It is estimated that the repair of this cable would take seven days.
9am, November 30
It has been nearly 24 hours since Bedfordview was plunged into darkness.
this stage, there is no update on when power will be restored to the area.
Also read: A Beginner’s Guide to Installing a Solar Power System
According to ward 20 councillor, Jill Humphreys technicians are currently fault-testing an Eskom line in Bedfordview.
“I anticipate this outage could last several days,” Humphreys posted online.
- This is a developing story. Updates will be posted as and when they become available.
