Fire at Brakfontein 132/11kV Substation Disrupts Power in Tshwane, Restoration Efforts Underway

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
20,477
Reaction score
21,436
Fire at Brakfontein 132/11kV Substation Disrupts Power in Tshwane, Restoration Efforts Underway

centralnews.co.za

Fire at Brakfontein 132/11kV Substation Disrupts Power in Tshwane, Restoration Efforts Underway

Fire at Brakfontein By Thobeka MakumeFire at BrakfonteinEmergency Response Kicks InOngoing Restoration EffortsWhat Caused the Fire?Impact on Residents and Bu
centralnews.co.za centralnews.co.za

Fire at Brakfontein 132/11kV Substation Disrupts Power in Tshwane, Restoration Efforts UnderwayPretoria – A fire broke out at the 132/11kV Substation in Brakfontein, Centurion, on Thursday evening, 3 April 2025, causing widespread power outages across several Tshwane suburbs. The blaze damaged critical infrastructure, including cables and 11kV feeder panels, prompting an urgent response from the City of Tshwane’s Energy and Electricity Department.
 
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:
www.jacarandafm.com

Brakfontein Substation fire caused by cable theft, vandalism

The City of Tshwane MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, has confirmed that the recent fire at Brakfontein Substation was caused by the theft and
www.jacarandafm.com www.jacarandafm.com

The City of Tshwane MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, has confirmed that the recent fire at Brakfontein substation was caused by the theft and vandalism of control cables.
View attachment 1810028

https://twitter.com/x/status/1908141659155505288
Click to expand...
😱
That's going to take a while.
 
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:
www.jacarandafm.com

Brakfontein Substation fire caused by cable theft, vandalism

The City of Tshwane MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, has confirmed that the recent fire at Brakfontein Substation was caused by the theft and
www.jacarandafm.com www.jacarandafm.com

The City of Tshwane MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, has confirmed that the recent fire at Brakfontein substation was caused by the theft and vandalism of control cables.
View attachment 1810028

https://twitter.com/x/status/1908141659155505288
Click to expand...

Big job this. Could be a while.
 
Solarion said:
Big job this. Could be a while.
Click to expand...
The message was "this is going to be long and people need to make preparations for quite a while".


fire.jpg

The "plan" is to decarbonise these panels, then test them to make sure they're fit for service, before deciding the way forward. Natually there is a much better way: get replacement panels, get things going, service the old ones and if fit for service, re-use them later.

There is a certain frustration in that cable theft etc in the area has been an ongoing issue for a long time, but is politicised each time into jobs for buddies.

I remember attending a meeting a few years ago, all the experts describing how cables are being laid from X to Y etc to ensure that the ongoing outages will be a thing of the past. A lot of money and planning later, it never happened and still no redundancy.
 
They did a decent job a few years ago of rebuilding everything and it has been much more reliable since.
But from what I've heard most of these incidents are sabotage due to contracts and rarely theft.

There were two taxis a few weeks ago that stopped at the water reservoir jumped over the high fence and tampered with the valves as well.

The CPF in the area is pretty good but it seems the community might have to set up cameras and 24/7 monitoring teams to protect infrastructure in future as it will probably get worse the way things are going.

My PV panels managed 7.4kwh so far today so at least I have lights, internet and my fridges are going. No hot water, TV or cooking though so hoping for sunny days the next few weeks while they fix things.
 
B-1 said:
They did a decent job a few years ago of rebuilding everything and it has been much more reliable since.
But from what I've heard most of these incidents are sabotage due to contracts and rarely theft.

There were two taxis a few weeks ago that stopped at the water reservoir jumped over the high fence and tampered with the valves as well.

The CPF in the area is pretty good but it seems the community might have to set up cameras and 24/7 monitoring teams to protect infrastructure in future as it will probably get worse the way things are going.

My PV panels managed 7.4kwh so far today so at least I have lights, internet and my fridges are going. No hot water, TV or cooking though so hoping for sunny days the next few weeks while they fix things.
Click to expand...
That's why a backup generator is a blessing. Run that to charge batteries and warm water.
 
Lupus said:
That's why a backup generator is a blessing. Run that to charge batteries and warm water.
Click to expand...

I've been close to buying one a few times but we were mostly down for a few hours worse case a day here and there over the last 2 years.

But looking at the weather I might need to bend the CC a bit and get it over with and then I will be 100% self sufficient on the electricity side of things.
 
B-1 said:
I've been close to buying one a few times but we were mostly down for a few hours worse case a day here and there over the last 2 years.

But looking at the weather I might need to bend the CC a bit and get it over with and then I will be 100% self sufficient on the electricity side of things.
Click to expand...
I didn't have 1 for almost 2 years, until the mini sub popped in our area.
The day they said it was going to take a few days to replace I got one installed with gas for cooking.
Thankfully with that being installed I've used it about 6 times since for extended outages.
 
Lupus said:
That's why a backup generator is a blessing. Run that to charge batteries and warm water.
Click to expand...
Yep, although I'd argue that there are better solutions for hot water.

I myself bough a Honda clone genny many years ago when loadshedding started, a 2.5kW that works for lights, electronics, fridge and freezer. It's the best buy ever and it's light on fuel. Repairs have been minimal and cheap. For the rest, there is gas.

Quite a few folks in our area have invested heavily in solar. Yesterday and today I've been hearing their gennies running. :(

Here's to hoping for sunny days sooner than later.
 
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:
Yep, although I'd argue that there are better solutions for hot water.

I myself bough a Honda clone genny many years ago when loadshedding started, a 2.5kW that works for lights, electronics, fridge and freezer. It's the best buy ever and it's light on fuel. Repairs have been minimal and cheap. For the rest, there is gas.

Quite a few folks in our area have invested heavily in solar. Yesterday and today I've been hearing their gennies running. :(

Here's to hoping for sunny days sooner than later.
Click to expand...
Eh not really for short term, gas actually works a bit more expensive for gas than electricity though with increases it may balance out again.
I got a 7.5kva generator that can power the house and geyser. You generally only need the geyser on for an hour then can crank up the inverter to charge batteries. Can charge them and run the house better with a generator.
Though it's initial usage was a lot more Dec is cloudy as well, plus a few times since than. Which means usage rarely to warm water is fine.
 
Lupus said:
Eh not really for short term, gas actually works a bit more expensive for gas than electricity though with increases it may balance out again.
I got a 7.5kva generator that can power the house and geyser. You generally only need the geyser on for an hour then can crank up the inverter to charge batteries. Can charge them and run the house better with a generator.
Though it's initial usage was a lot more Dec is cloudy as well, plus a few times since than. Which means usage rarely to warm water is fine.
Click to expand...
Really? So interesting, tell more little Eskom defender
 
Flanders said:
We need a minister of substations. Minister of lektriek alone clearly not cutting it.
Click to expand...
Or maybe some security. perhaps a police force or something like that...
 
B-1 said:
I've been close to buying one a few times but we were mostly down for a few hours worse case a day here and there over the last 2 years.

But looking at the weather I might need to bend the CC a bit and get it over with and then I will be 100% self sufficient on the electricity side of things.
Click to expand...
Checkers Hyper has the Schultz 2500W petrol generator on special for R3,499 - a saving of R1,000 if you use their Xtra Savings card, compared to the regular retail price of R4,499 - until 21 April 2025.

I have one - bought it in February, when we had a multiple day power interruption - and when we then had another 6 day power failure last month (due to a vandalised distribution box), it kept my 2 fridges running, as well as my TV set, streaming box, internet routers & desktop PC - and also providing power to my 2 neighbours to run their TV sets & fridges as well.

1743873196490.png

 
Lupus said:
Eh not really for short term, gas actually works a bit more expensive for gas than electricity though with increases it may balance out again.
I got a 7.5kva generator that can power the house and geyser. You generally only need the geyser on for an hour then can crank up the inverter to charge batteries. Can charge them and run the house better with a generator.
Though it's initial usage was a lot more Dec is cloudy as well, plus a few times since than. Which means usage rarely to warm water is fine.
Click to expand...
We're probably going a bit OT :)

Your use case is different to mine. Actually, a friend who went overboard with solar and I did sums, after he had to start his 5.5kW genny (dec? sounds about right) when their area had a blown municipal transformer and clouds. So his use case would be similar to yours.

For normal usage, I have a std electrical geyser. We are not talking about that, only prolonged outages.

During problem times as we see where the area has been without power for a few days, I use gas for warm water. For the rest, the smaller genny is light on fuel vs his 5.5kW, with a comparative similar small load. Also, some famous name gennies like certain Ryobi models, although good, are known gas guzzlers. My genny runs, keeps my (jippo'ed) inline UPS topped up as well as the other essentials. My quality of life is not affected for ~15l/day while I normally have a 9kg gas cyclinder on standby, plus some camping gear.

The point is the TCO differs for each use case
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter