Millions gone to waste as substation left in ruins
The substation was built to take pressure off the existing substations and was meant to provide power to Krugersrus, Dal Fouche, New Era and Petersfield.
A Krugersrus substation that was built seven years ago has been abandoned and has nothing of value left since vandals have stripped it piece by piece.
Transformers, radiators, switches and bricks can be found around the substation either in pieces or burnt.
The substation was built to take pressure off the existing substations and was meant to provide power to Krugersrus, Dal Fouche, New Era and Petersfield.
Instead, it has never been used.
According to a source, who requested to remain anonymous, the reason the substation was never used is that it was built according to the wrong specification.
“When Eskom came to connect the substation to the grid, it was discovered the substation was built to run on a distribution network of 11kVa, when Springs runs on a 22kVa.
Also read: Electricity supply affected by substation fire
“So Eskom said sorry, we can’t do anything,” said the source.
It is alleged the substation cost R150-million to build, which has now gone to waste.
Speaking to the Advertiser, the source questioned why the person who commissioned the building of the substation did not do their research, what disciplinary action was taken against that person once their costly error was discovered and why the City of Ekurhuleni did not provide security for the substation.
Additionally, the source questioned why once it became apparent the substation could not be used in Springs, the City of Ekurhuleni made no effort to salvage parts of the substation and use it elsewhere.
When ward councillor Dean Stone visited the substation, he was shocked by what he saw.
“In my three terms as a councillor, I’ve never seen anything as bad as this.
“The worst thing about this is had this substation been used, we would have never had that fire at the JVA substations, and industry wouldn’t have suffered the way they did.
“Somebody must be held accountable for this, and we need answers,” said Stone.
Springs AfriForum chairperson Cornel Swart also said they have been aware of the state of the substation for a while and were also working on getting answers from the municipality.
Comment from the City of Ekurhuleni will be published once it has been received.
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