Calls mount for Tshwane to refurbish Garsfontein substation
The city is exploring long-term solutions to refurbish the substation, which has been vulnerable to vandalism due to lack of protection.
Tshwane has taken a crucial step towards addressing the persistent power outages in Garsfontein by commissioning a team to assess the vandalised protection system at the substation.
The assessors will help estimate the cost of repairs needed to get the substation fully operational again in the short- to medium-term.
Meanwhile, the city is also exploring long-term solutions to refurbish the substation, which has been vulnerable to vandalism due to a lack of protection.
The measures by Tshwane come after widespread complaints from residents who have experienced frequent power outages.
Ward 45 Councillor Elizabeth Basson is driving a petition to get the municipality to refurbish the substation.
She said for the past two years, she has been requesting the city to refurbish the substation, emphasising that the situation has become critical.
“The prolonged outages have caused the entire substation to trip, almost daily.
“These continuous power outages are causing tremendous hardship for the residents. Residents are losing income daily as many work from home and are dependent on a stable power supply to generate income.
“Not all residents have the capacity to install alternative power sources at their homes,” she explained.
Basson emphasised that this also relates to businesses that are closing their doors as they can no longer provide a dependable service to the community.
“The refurbishment of the substation will mean that trips will be more localised by tripping a mini-sub or, where there are larger MV faults, perhaps a panel will be affected.”
She added that the timeous repairs of abnormals (electrical faults on a ring) as they occur, will also assist to stabilise the electrical grid within the suburb.
“This ongoing problem with electricity in Garsfontein is known to the regional teams and MMC. This has been escalated to the Group Head of Regional Operations Centre as well as other senior city sfficials,” said Basson.
“The refurbishment must form part of the integrated development plan,” Basson added.
She said the refurbishment must happen sooner than later, as the residents in wards 44, 45, 46 and 83 are heavily affected by these regular power outages while they pay their rates and taxes.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city’s Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has been engaged to increase patrols and visibility in theft hot spots, including but not limited to, Garsfontein to safeguard the electricity network from theft and vandalism.
“The region has commissioned the Test and Protection Section within the city to conduct an assessment of the vandalised protection system inside the Garsfontein Substation. [This is] to assist with the cost estimations for the repairs whilst the long-term permanent solution for refurbishing the vandalised substation is being considered.”
He said currently the city attends to power outages as and when they occur including but not limited to Garsfontein.
“The refurbishment of the substation once assessments are completed will align with the city’s strategy of providing a reliable and sustainable electricity supply to the community,” Mashigo concluded.
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