Substations explosions feared
Centurion residents are outraged by the oil leaking substations and a councillor says its also a health hazard.
Gopolang Chawane
Centurion residents fear an explosion from oil leaks in three mini substations on Hippo Avenue between Heuwel Avenue and Hendrik Verwoerd Drive.
They said this week they had repeatedly alerted the Tshwane metro to the hazard but nothing had been done.
Oil is used as a cooling agent in transformers to prevent overheating. With the oil leaking, there is a danger that the substations could burst into flames.
Centurion councillor Clive Napier said Centurion infrastructure strongly needed upgrading. Water-supply pipes, roads and substations were outdated.
In an e-mail to Tshwane metro director of electricity Gabisile Sifunda, Napier wrote: “This a serious issue — three transformers leaking oil in Hippo Ave leaking oil for about 2 years. Please could this matter be addressed? Thank you.”
An e-mailed response promised to tighten spouts to stop oil leaking or replace seals, fill transformers with oil, clean, label and lock the units.
Napier said the oil cooled the back of the box, and said if enough of it was lost, serious damage to the substation could be the result.
“At one substation, the leak is so bad that there is an ice-cream bucket to catch the oil.”
Councillor Ina Strijdom said at a council meeting last month she knew of many substations in dire need of an upgrade.
Strijdom said the substations in Voortrekkerhoogte dated back to the 1950s and an upgrade had been overdue for many years.
“The lifespan of an electrical network is approximately 40 years.”
Watch video of mini substation here:
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
