Ballito braces for 10-hour daytime blackouts
The blackouts are as a result of 'urgent maintenance and switch gear to be mounted, fitted and tested at the Ballito substation 33/11kV yard.
Ballito’s wards 6 and 30, inclusive of the Simbithi and Zimbali areas, will face another round of punishing 10-hour daytime electricity blackouts over five days from next week.
Phase one of the lengthy shutdowns between 8am and 6pm will be implemented on Monday and Tuesday next week, with phase two implemented from May 13 to 15.
According to the KwaDukuza municipality, the reason for the second severe electrical shutdown in these areas is “for urgent maintenance and switch gear to be mounted, fitted and tested at the Ballito substation 33/11kV yard.”
In February these wards were subjected to eight-hour shutdowns for maintenance and switch gear installation. However, the actual blackouts were often six hours or less.
This urgent maintenance was undertaken then to replace an old oil switch gear system with a new vacuum type as part of the municipality’s broader plan to refurbish strategic substations, KwaDukuza spokesperson Sifiso Zulu explained at the time.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
