Substation fire repairs cost Tshwane millions – metro

The past few weeks have had many a Centurion resident stuck in the dark without electricity, mostly due to substation outages, which affect several areas simultaneously.

Substation fires, such as the one at Brakfontein, have become a significant concern for residents, leaving communities grappling with prolonged power outages.

These incidents result in residents being without electricity for weeks, as the damage caused by these fires necessitates repairs or replacement of vital equipment at the substations, which often takes time.

According to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the substation repair costs after a fire can reach up to R13-million per incident.

However, Mashigo noted that this figure may vary depending on the size of the substation.

“After the cost has been determined, the amount is subsequently submitted to the insurance for coverage,” he explained.

He said the metro also has several procedures to ensure prompt and efficient maintenance and repairs at substations following a fire or cable theft incident.

These procedures include conducting an impact analysis of the damage, checking the availability of spare parts in-house, reaching out to other municipalities and Eskom for assistance, and emergency procurement of materials from contracted companies.

Mashigo added that the process continues with the removal of damaged equipment, testing and replacing those items, excavating for cable replacement, and conducting various tests on feeder cables and transformers to ensure power restoration to the substation.

He elaborated on the measures the metro is taking to prevent cable theft and subsequent substations fires in Centurion.

“The Tshwane metro police assist with patrols and visibility at substations and in theft hotspot areas to safeguard the electricity network infrastructure from theft and vandalism.”

Mashigo mentioned that all substations are equipped with surge arrestors and that the paint used inside the substations provides additional protection against fire.

Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) spokesperson Isaac Mahamba confirmed that police officers are actively monitoring areas prone to these incidents in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.

However, he could not provide further details on the specific measures in place, as much of the information remains classified.

Residents in the area have expressed their frustration over the disruptions caused by these incidents, including the recent fire at the Brakfontein Substation.

This incident affects their comfort and hinders access to essential services.

Christopher Lanco, a Lyttelton resident, said that these fires are a serious cause for concern.

“The fire at the Brakfontein Substation left many people without power, and it’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a major disruption for families, especially those with children and the elderly who rely on electricity for essential needs,” he said.

Lanco recalled the fire that occurred at the Kloofsig Substation in 2021, which left areas including Kloofsig, Lyttelton, and Barnard Park without electricity for days.

“When that fire happened, it felt like we were cut off from the world. We couldn’t cook, the kids weren’t able to bathe with hot water in the morning for school, and many of us had to throw away food that spoiled in fridges.”

He shared that it’s extremely frustrating that these incidents continue to happen.

“I just want to feel secure in my home and know that the lights will stay on,” he added.

Bongane Mtshali, a Heuweloord resident, recently told Rekord how he and his family coped without electricity due to the fire at the Brakfontein Substation.

“It was tough, especially with two kids at home. We had to rely on candles and flashlights for light.

“Cooking was a challenge too; we resorted to using a gas stove outside,” he said.

Mtshali stated that his children were restless and bored, finding it difficult to keep themselves entertained without their usual gadgets.

“We tried to make the best of it, playing board games and telling stories, but the uncertainty of when power would come back was stressful.”

In April last year, a fire also broke out at the Raslouw substation, just off the R55.

At the time, former MMC for Utility Services and Regional Operation and Coordination, Themba Fosi, stated that an investigation pointed to rodents as the cause of the fire.

He explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by a short circuit initiated by rodents that had gnawed through the wires inside the panels.

“Further assessments conducted by our technical team revealed a faulty cable leading towards the Sunderland Ridge sewer treatment plant.”

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