Illegal connections leading cause for transformer failures
JOHANNESBURG – Eskom has noted that increased equipment failure has a significant negative impact on their operations, finances and safety of their employees and the public.
According to Eskom, the power utility is experiencing an increasing number of repeated equipment failures in some areas, especially within Gauteng.
“This is primarily due to illegal connections leading to overloading which results in failure of transformers and mini-substations. This is exacerbated by meter tampering, electricity theft and vandalism of infrastructure,” Eskom said in a statement.
Eskom said that it has taken a decision that it will not be restoring power to areas that have repeated failures due to illegal connections, meter tampering and bypassing. The power utility said it will only restore supply to legal and paying customers in the areas, on the condition that the community allows safe access to Eskom staff to conduct audits and remove illegal connections.
“If we do not conduct the audits, we run the risk of continued failures without dealing with the root cause. In some areas, Eskom technicians have not been allowed to conduct these audits which result in repeated failures of equipment making power restoration a wasteful exercise,” continued the statement.
Eskom added that this decision comes after the extensive customer and various stakeholder engagements across the Gauteng province, aimed at resolving issues related to electricity services.
The power utility’s group executive for distribution, Monde Bala said, “Eskom will continue to engage with councillors in all affected areas to deal adequately with these issues. Furthermore, Eskom would like to affirm its commitment to collaborate and engage with various communities to find solutions so that we can resume with our services. I thank and applaud paying customers for their continued commitment to paying for the services that they use.”
Eskom has appealed to communities to report illegal connections and meter tampering including when Eskom employees are involved. The Eskom crime line number is 0800 11 27 22.
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