Rain delays restoration of power to some east suburbs
Despite the rain, electricity has been restored to about1 500 residences and business in Moreleta Park.
Rainy weather conditions have delayed repairs to the Mooikloof substation in the east of Pretoria.
The substation burned down on Wednesday, leaving several areas without electricity.
Many parts of Gauteng, including Pretoria, have been experiencing wet conditions, and in some areas, localised flooding.
Tshwane metro spokesperson, Hilgard Matthews, said the constant rain over the past two days has slowed down the restoration work at the substation.
“The team has, nevertheless, managed to make significant progress in cleaning the site and to remove all the 26 destroyed panels,” he said.
“Despite the rain, the assembly of the roof started yesterday.”
Matthews said work on the roofing had to be suspended due to occupational health
and safety measures, as welding in the wet conditions would put the lives of the welders at risk.
“The substation is also surrounded by high-voltage transmission lines that are prone to lightning strikes.”
On Sunday morning, the roofing works resumed and teams were expected to complete it by Monday – weather permitting.
“The replacement panels are ready to be transported to site once the roofing is done.
“The testing of all medium voltage cables for the substation feeder areas will start tomorrow, and repairs of faulty cables will be executed as and when identified,” Matthews said, adding that despite the rain, electricity has been restored to about 1 500 residences and business in Moreleta Park.
“Unfortunately, the rest of the customers cannot be temporarily reconnected due to the configuration of the electricity network,” he said.
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