EMM comments on Phomolong power outages
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality made an official statement to clarify crucial facts about Phomolong power failure.
Following the protests staged by Phomolong residents due to power failures, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) said it receives a bulk supply for Phomolong from City Power.
The Tembisan reported on May 15 that ward 12 and 13 residents from OR Tambo and Chief Albert Luthuli sections met in an effort to obtain answers regarding Phomolong’s power outages from ward councillor, Clr Simon Kwili.
The EMM’s spokesperson, Mr Themba Gadebe, said bulk supply is received through two supply cables, which the EMM uses to distribute electricity to the Phomolong Extensions.
This statement follows power failures on April 28 in the Phomolong Extensions.
“The cause of the power failure was a medium voltage equipment failure at City Power’s Allandale substation. Following further investigations, it was discovered that the switchgear panels at the Allandale substation blew up. The equipment failure left the substation with only one healthy feeder for the Phomolong Extensions.
“The evening peak load for Phomolong Sections exceeds the safe capacity of the healthy feeder. Therefore, the EMM implemented the rotational load reduction cycles during peak hours to equitably share the available electricity capacity among the affected customers.
“However, every evening after peak hours, electricity supply was switched back on to all affected customers. The main reason for the delay to fully restore power was the procurement of material and spares to repair the damage caused.
“Repair work was completed on Monday, May 11, and power was restored to all affected areas around 5:30pm the same day,” said Mr Gadebe.
