The residents of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) are finally breathing a sigh of relief.
For the first time in 11 days, the town has not had load reduction, which has been plaguing it since September 20.
This recent improvement in the electricity supply has been a welcome change for the residents.
When an Eskom transformer malfunctioned on September 20, the town was placed on an electricity reduction schedule of five hours on and five hours off.
For 11 days, residents speculated about why the transformer was not being attended to. The TCLM did not answer any queries regarding the situation, leaving residents fuming.
Also read: Lydenburg has transformer woes on account of Eskom debt
However, last Friday, September 27, Steelburger/Lydenburg News was reliably informed that the lack of repairs directly resulted from a debt TCLM owes Eskom.
It then emerged that Eskom has been reluctant to address the situation because TCLM’s debt was more than R1b. TCLM has since been in negotiations with Eskom and is, according to sources, awaiting Eskom’s response to a letter it had sent.
Eskom acknowledged receipt of the newspaper’s queries, but stated on Monday, September 30 that it was still busy attending to its response. Meanwhile, that same day, TCLM has implemented a temporary solution to the load reduction crisis.
By establishing a ring feed network connected to the Rooidraai transformer, the municipality has ensured that all areas have a somewhat reliable electricity supply during this transitional period.
This temporary solution, while not perfect, has significantly improved the situation for the residents. With that in place, the municipality reiterated the importance of electricity conservation through the respective ward councillors.
“Until a permanent solution is implemented and the transformer issue is fully resolved, it is crucial that all residents continue to conserve energy. Every effort counts in ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply for the town,” said the DA’s councillor, Spiros Couvaras.
Local officials remain optimistic about the outcome of negotiations with Eskom and are working diligently to ensure the transformer replacement.
As the situation develops, residents are encouraged to stay informed and to co-operate with the municipality’s efforts to ensure that the town remains powered and connected.
