Eskom says that it may take up to 3 months for the electricity to be restored in areas that have experienced power outages due to failure of transformers and mini substations.
Eskom warns customers that due to high volumes of failed equipment in areas with illegal connections, there may be delays in restoration of supply due to resource constraints. It may take up to 3 months from the day of the payment arrangements.
Apparently, a single transformer costs R75 000,00 and they are a total of 15 transformers that have failed in Kaalfontein, Allandale, Ebony Park and Ivory Park due to illegal connections and overloading.
Some of the communities in these areas have not had electricity for periods ranging from 1 week to more than a month.
The Eskom Gauteng Spokesperson, Reneiloe Semenya said “Due to high volumes of repeated transformers and mini substations in areas associated with illegal connections, meter bypassing and vandalism of electricity infrastructure. They may be delays in restoration due to resource constraints. It may take up to three months from the day of payment arrangements. It is therefore imperative for Eskom to implement load reductions.”
“Equally so, we would like to appeal to members of the public to switch off non essential appliances and avoid illegal connections as they compromise the integrity of our networks” said Semenya.
There’s no load reduction expected today in KAE and surrounding areas.