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- An explosion at the Devon Valley substation caused a widespread power outage in Stellenbosch.
- The equipment, known as a 132 kV Firgrove feeder white phase current transformer, exploded.
- Eskom said staff would be on site Tuesday to assess the damage and make any necessary repairs.
Power was restored in and around downtown Stellenbosch in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a widespread power outage Monday night following a fire at the Devon Valley substation.
According to Eskom, the supply was interrupted at 9:50 p.m. following an explosion in the substation, which affected the municipality, Koelenhof, Cloetesville, Lynedoch, De Zalze, Kylemore and neighboring areas.
“The fire was caused by exploding equipment, known as a 132kV Firgrove feeder white phase current transformer (CT),” the power company said in a statement.
“The Eskom fire department and technicians were dispatched to the site. Technicians safeguarded the equipment and restored supply to customers.”
Staff would be on site Tuesday to assess the damage and make any necessary repairs.
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Stellenbosch Township spokesman Stuart Grobbelaar said the fire was quickly extinguished by local fire services.
“Power was fully restored around 00:15 [on Tuesday] Morning. Downtown Stellenbosch (city) and the surrounding suburbs were affected by this outage for about two and a half hours, “he said.
Eskom suspended cargo shedding Monday night after five days of continuous blackouts.
It was initially only scheduled to last until Sunday, as some units that were supposed to return to service were delayed, Fin24 reported.
