Eskom in Gauteng continues to fix mini-substations and transformers that failed or exploded as a result of theft, vandalism, and network overloading.
This is amid the challenges of the shortage of mini-substations and transformers.
The power utility recently reported shortages of mini-substations and transformers as a result of the high number of failed and exploded electricity equipment that requires repairs or replacement, making it difficult to meet the demand.
Eskom implements control measures such as audits, maintenance, load reduction, education and awareness campaigns to avert failures that lead to unplanned and extended outages.
However, this equipment still fails mainly due to illegal electricity-related acts currently rife in Gauteng communities.
“With the non-payments, debt levels, non-technical losses continuing to grow and the operational costs accelerating, the business takes a further financial strain as we have to keep repairing, refurbishing or replacing infrastructure that breaks or is frequently vandalised.
The process to replace or repair the failed equipment commences with a network audit to determine the cause of the failures, and the extent of the damages.
This is followed by the removal of illegal connections, fixing faulty meters and replacing damaged mini-substations and transformers depending on the availability of the required material, which is a challenge at this stage.
To accommodate the customers that cannot immediately settle the R6 052.60 remedial fee, Eskom introduced the deferred payment arrangement (DPA).
Customers are required to enter into a DPA and make an initial minimum payment of R500 and the balance can be paid over a maximum period of six months.
Eskom will start the process of restoring the power supply when a threshold of 60% of the payment has been made by customers supplied from the same affected equipment.
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