Tshwane power crisis continues after explosion at Watloo substation - IOL

Tshwane power disruption continues after Waltloo Substation explosion.

The power crisis affecting parts of Pretoria East is continuing after an incident at the Waltloo Substation left a transformer at the Njala Infeed Substation faulty, forcing the City of Tshwane to implement three-hour load rotations.

The City said its Energy and Electricity Business Unit (EEBU) was working to stabilise the electricity network and progressively restore power to affected customers after the disruption plunged parts of Pretoria East into darkness on Tuesday.

While the incident has been described as an explosion at the Waltloo Substation, the City’s official update refers to a fault at Waltloo that caused a transformer at the Njala Infeed Substation to trip.

The Njala Infeed Substation supplies several primary substations in Pretoria East, including Waltloo.

The City said it has brought in the transformer’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to provide technical support and conduct further diagnostic testing on Transformer 1A at the Njala Infeed Substation. The transformer has been found to be faulty.

Attempts by technical teams to re-energise Transformer 1A have been unsuccessful, with the unit described by the City as being in a bad state. As an immediate measure, technicians have had to implement load rotation.

Power has been restored to Mamelodi 1, 2 and 3, Willows, Wapadrand and Heatherley.

Technicians have also restored power to several substations and supply points, including Waltloo-Ford Sigma, Waltloo-Sefatanaga, Highlands 132kV, Lynnwood 132kV, Scientia 132kV, CSIR 132kV, Willows 132kV and Villeria 132kV.

The City said increased demand during Wednesday morning had resulted in the implementation of a three-hour load rotation.

A detailed breakdown of the areas supplied by the affected primary substations was expected to be provided during the City's 3pm update.

Meanwhile, technical teams are installing busbars and interconnectors to draw additional supply from the Kwagga and Rietvlei substations and assist the Njala Infeed Substation.

Persistent rain has delayed the work, but the City said the technical team was on site and ready to proceed once conditions improve.

The City said it remained committed to restoring power to all affected consumers and apologised for the disruption.

A further progress update, including an estimated time of restoration, is expected by 8pm on Wednesday.