Two days after a fire engulfed the Mooikloof substation, ratepayers in the east of Pretoria are still playing a waiting game with Tshwane as the estimated time of power restoration remains unspecified.

The substation went up in flames on the evening of April 17 and caused a massive power outage, covering most of the Pretoria eastern suburbs.

According to the MMC for utilities Themba Fosi, the outage affected areas including Garsfontein, several parts east of Solomon Mahlangu, Moreleta Park including the Pretoria East Hospital, Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, Mooikloof Estate and Mooikloof Ridge, The Wilds Estate, and surrounding farms.

The local ward councillor Malcolm de Klerk said that two transformers that were connected to the substation have been tested, and one was found to be destroyed, and the other not usable.

De Klerk stated, “There are two backup transformers onsite [that] have been tested on Thursday, however, there needs to be work done to connect them with the panels.”

De Klerk said that 15 panels have been destroyed, adding “There are ten panels that can be used to replace those onsite, these are now in the process of being cleaned and can then be tested to see if repair work is needed.”

He said five additional panels are being sourced.

MMC Fosi said transformer testing has been completed, stating “Transformer A and R tested positive, except for Transformer C, this is good news as this means they can be used to energize the substation,” Fosi said.

He said a team is busy stripping 11kV panels, with the inclusion of a transformer panel at Gomsand, to be used at the Mooikloof substation.

“The team is busy opening trenches for single cores from the HV yard to be installed inside the substation,” said Fosi, adding “We also need to strip 11kV feeder cables from Board C. The cables need to be pressure tested and megger.”

Fosi said updates regarding the situation will be communicated as information becomes available.

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said: “An aerial view of the Mooikloof substation that caught fire last night [on April,17 indicates that] a transformer burnt down.”

Emergency Services Deputy Chief Charles Mabaso said the Tshwane Emergency Services (EMS) was notified of the incident around 23:24.

“Firefighters arrived on the scene to find parts of the substation on fire. They immediately commenced with fire exposure protection of the unburned side and the firefighting.

“The fire was brought under control and extinguished around 00:50. They continued with cooling down operations until 01:46.

According to electricians on site, the switch gear room suffered extensive damage.”

Mabaso said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

He also confirmed that no injuries were reported.

This fire is one of several that have left hundreds of households without power.

Previously, repair work to restore supply took about nine days after Moreleta Park, Pretorius Park, Mooikloof, Olympus, Woodlands, and part of Garsfontein were left in the dark.

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