City Power urges residents to stop starting veld fires as it affects their infrastructure. Photo: City Power
Veld fires may be to blame for power outages – City Power
City Power has urged the public not to start veld fires under their transmission lines, as this has recently caused power outages.
City Power urges residents to stop starting veld fires as it affects their infrastructure. Photo: City Power
City Power has warned that veld fires may be responsible for several power outages experienced at the Lenasia Service Delivery Centre, leaving some areas without power.
Nancefield, Nirvana, and Eldorado Park are among the areas affected by the outages.
VELD FIRES UNDER TRANSMISSION LINES ARE A PROBLEM
The spokesperson for City Power, Isaac Mangena, said veld fires have a severe impact on the operation of transmission lines and the quality of electricity supply.
“Since Sunday this week until Wednesday, the Lenasia Service Delivery Centre dealt with major outages daily and around the same time in the evening.
“The outages affected Nancefield, Nirvana, and Eldorado which are interconnected through the transmission lines, plunging several areas into darkness around the evening,”
explained Mangena.
NO TECHNICAL FAULT FOUND
Through investigations conducted by City Power after every outage, they were able to establish that no technical fault was found on the transmission lines, transformers, Feederbaords and distributors.
However, the investigation found that the transmission lines caused the trip due to the billowing smoke caused by the multiple fires under the line servitude.
“Even on Wednesday afternoon, City Power teams noticed several fires under the transmission lines near the Nancefield substation. Also on the N12 and Nirvana substation which we suspect is the reason for the current outage affecting the same area,”
said Mangena.
In the winter, people usually set overgrown grass on fire to clear the area. Mangena said they expect more of these veld fires after winter during the dry season.
He mentioned that City Power has a standing programme on the cutting of grass bushes and trees under the line servitude with the help of Joburg City Parks, to ensure we avoid the risk of fires and trees blown into the lines by the wind.
“We however urge communities to refrain from setting the fires under or near electricity infrastructure, which is illegal and a crime if one is found,”
pleaded Mangena.
He encouraged residents to report anyone starting veld fires under electricity servitude to the law enforcement, Emergency Services or City Power.
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