Pretoria – Several areas in Tshwane are without electricity after a transformer explosion on Friday at Koedoespoort Substation, the City of Tshwane said.
“Koedoespoort Substation suffers a transformer explosion on 16 June 2023 Transformer 1C inside the Koedoespoort Substation exploded this afternoon and caused damage to a nearby transformer 1B, causing a power outage, which affected a number of areas in Regions 2, 3, and 6,” the City said.
The Tshwane Emergency Services dispatched fire engines from two fire stations to the scene.
“Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire as soon as technicians switched off the power supply and rendered the area safe for operations,” the City said.
“The Energy and Electricity Department (EED) is currently on-site assessing the extent of the damage.
“‘Prior to the explosion, our technicians were busy with repair work at the said substation following multiple cable theft two weeks ago.”
The City said transformer 1C (which exploded this afternoon) had been “soaked and left to idle” – meaning that it was not connected to any end-user.
“Unfortunately, when it exploded, it affected Transformer 1B which feeds some secondary substations in Region 2,” the City said.
“The EED team is currently testing the integrity of the overhead lines in order to determine which areas can be switched back on.
“It is too early to estimate when electricity will be restored as the testing is still underway.”
The City said the explosion has affected the power supply in the following areas:
• Koedoespoort
• Weavindpark
• Lindopark
• Eastlynn Jan Niemand Park
• Silverton industrial
• Kilnerpark
• Queenswood As well as the following secondary substations:
• Pumulani Primary 132KV Substation
• Montana Secondary 11KV Substation
• Haartebeesfontein Secondary Substation
• Montana (between N1 and Breedt Street
• Part of Doornpoort (between N1 and Breedt Street)
• Breedt Secondary Substation 11KV Substation
“The city apologises for the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen occurrence. Consumers will be kept abreast of the developments,” said the communique issued by the City’s Communication, Marketing, and Events Department.
