The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s (NMBM) Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has approved emergency interventions to help circumvent prolonged electricity network supply disruptions due to the collapse of four 132 kV overhead transmission towers that form part of the network from Chelsea Substation, Arlington Substation and Summerstrand Substation.
The disruptions came as a result of gale-force winds that led to the collapse of these ageing tower structures, on 21 August 2024.
The towers had also been compromised by rust and corrosion and are scheduled for reconstruction within the current 2024/2025 financial year.
JOC has approved for Eskom to partner with the NMBM, to construct additional steel mono pole structures to extend the existing by-pass line and connect it to the existing Chelsea power line.
According to the municipality, this will help them to reinstate power supply to the affected areas sooner than the previously projected 14 days.
Additional mitigation measures currently being implemented include the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's overhead construction team working with the contractors that have been appointed on an emergency basis.
In the metro's most recent media statement, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said the teams were currently on site, building temporary alternative overhead lines to connect to the Summerstrand existing power line, to restore power supply as quickly as possible to the affected areas.
"The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has also commenced an emergency procurement process for generators, to assist with providing additional power supply to alleviate the impact of the outages on affected areas and ensure that essential services can continue operating whilst the Eskom repairs are underway.
"Furthermore, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has successfully relocated and installed the 10 MVA transformer from Kwaford to the South End substation. This will provide additional power supply to the Southend residents and surrounding affected areas," he said.
The work is projected to be completed by the 27 August 2024.
