Another widespread power outage hits Tshwane

The City of Tshwane had its hands full with its second widespread power outages this month and, to add to the pressure, the closure of a busy street while rain persisted over the capital.

The City of Tshwane Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is still on high alert following a yellow level 4 warning issued by the South African Weather Service for severe thunderstorms over most parts of Gauteng, including Tshwane, that has already caused chaos with widespread power outages in the city.

While Tshwane EMS had their hands full following a cut-off low-pressure system that was situated over the central interior of the country that was responsible for the widespread showers and thundershowers, the city had to work through the rain to try and repair the power to various areas due to multiple power trips.

Delays and shutdowns

On Wednesday night, the Waltloo Transformer 1B caught fire just after midnight, which left thousands of residents without power after Rooiwal, Pyramid, Phumulani, Waltloo and Koedoespoort substations tripped.

City of Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city had to implement an emergency power supply shutdown at most parts of Pretoria East to repair line isolators on the 132kV Njala line 1, which were affected by Wednesday night’s power failure.

“This essential work is needed to manage the risk and to prevent further damage to the infeed station,” he said.

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Mashigo said the city’s energy and electricity technicians have so far managed to energise the Phumulani and Koedoespoort substations, which went offline in the early hours of yesterday morning following the fire.

“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The team is now vigorously working on energising the Pyramid and Rooiwal substations,” he said.

Waltloo remains offline

“The Waltloo substation will regrettably remain offline until repairs to the burnt transformer are completed.”

Mashigo said the affected Waltloo substation supply includes the Ford Motor Company SA (main plant), Brandwag substation, all Silverton extensions, Waltloo Industrial and N4 Gateway.

“The work at the substation is likely to take two days or more to be completed, due to the complexity of the repairs to be affected. The estimated time of restoration is still not known,” he said.

This month, a fire at the 132/11kV substation at Brakfontein damaged cables and 11kV feeder panels left residents from Rooihuiskraal North, The Reeds extensions, Wierdapark and Heuweloord have been without power for over 11 days and was only fully completed last week due to heavy downpours of rainfall this past month.

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Erosion hole formed

This week, a portion of Steve Biko Road between Trevenna and Francis Baard Road was closed after a suspected sinkhole formed.

On Wednesday afternoon, Tshwane MMC of transport Tlangi Mogale visited the affected area with her team to establish the extent of the hole.

“It has been found that an erosion hole is present under the road surface and extends in an almost circle shape below the road. Its full extent could not yet be determined,” she said.

Mogale said because the road was not located in a dolomite area, it was not classified as a sinkhole.

“It’s an erosion hole caused by erosion of soil material due to possible water ingress,” she said.

The source of the water was also yet to be determined.

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