A voltage transformer at Lynnwood primary substation in Tshwane caught fire on Thursday night, causing the facility to go offline.
MMC for utilities and regional operations Daryl Johnston said safety systems isolated the rest of the substation from further damage.
Firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze.
“Our electricity teams arrived on site to work on the substation and worked until the early hours of [Friday] morning. The team first isolated the damaged voltage transformer and then needed to do technical cleaning in preparation for re-energising the substation.”
Power was restored to residents at about 2.49am on Friday.
“Substation faults like this can be major challenges and the professionalism shown by our teams in resolving the problem and restoring power is appreciated,” said Johnston.
“Our systems were never designed to withstand continuous long-term rolling blackouts. We have also lost millions of rand to load-shedding in damage, but Eskom refuses to take responsibility for these costs.”
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Tshwane restores electricity after substation fire
Image: City of Tshwane
A voltage transformer at Lynnwood primary substation in Tshwane caught fire on Thursday night, causing the facility to go offline.
MMC for utilities and regional operations Daryl Johnston said safety systems isolated the rest of the substation from further damage.
Firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze.
“Our electricity teams arrived on site to work on the substation and worked until the early hours of [Friday] morning. The team first isolated the damaged voltage transformer and then needed to do technical cleaning in preparation for re-energising the substation.”
Power was restored to residents at about 2.49am on Friday.
“Substation faults like this can be major challenges and the professionalism shown by our teams in resolving the problem and restoring power is appreciated,” said Johnston.
“Our systems were never designed to withstand continuous long-term rolling blackouts. We have also lost millions of rand to load-shedding in damage, but Eskom refuses to take responsibility for these costs.”
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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