A series of power interruptions has affected residential and industrial areas across Msunduzi, South Africa, due to ageing electricity infrastructure and damage caused by earthworks contractors. The municipality's technical teams worked around the clock to restore power after faults hit several areas, including the Willowton Industrial Area and Mkondeni. The municipality reported that repairs were completed in Willowton at 11:50 pm on Thursday.
In Willowton, two faults on an 11kV cable between Riverside Primary and the substation opposite 249 Ortmann Road affected the DH Brothers and 249 Ortmann Road substations. The municipality located several damaged points, excavated the affected sections, and tested and repaired the cables before energising and phasing the network. Some areas were restored through ring feeds, but others remained without power because their supplies were embedded in the damaged cables.
The municipality stated that the cables were nearing the end of their designed lifespan and had been repaired several times, raising the risk of further failures, particularly under full load. The latest interruptions have raised concerns among Willowton businesses about the effect of unreliable supply on production and jobs. The area has experienced significant investment in electricity infrastructure, with over R80 million invested and the establishment of the Eastwood Primary Substation.
The Eastwood Primary Substation was established to ease the load on Riverside Primary, and more cables and distribution substations have been installed. Further circuits and ring circuits are planned to replace ageing infrastructure. In Mkondeni, a separate series of faults occurred after contractors carrying out earthworks damaged several 11kV cables at different points. The resulting fault current severely damaged the 11kV switchboard at the Mkondeni Primary Substation.
Teams isolated the damaged section of the switchboard, allowing some supplies to be restored by 7:30 pm on Thursday. However, more damaged equipment and cables were found downstream after supply was restored. The municipality is isolating faulty components and using ring feeds to supply unaffected areas where possible. Some areas have been without power since the initial fault, while others are on load rotation due to restricted ring feeds.
The municipality is sourcing replacement equipment and working on temporary repairs while planning permanent ones. Low-voltage faults are also being addressed in Copesville and the 1 Knoll area. In Copesville, the municipality found service-cable tampering during repairs and is auditing affected properties. Repairs and reconnections will be carried out where properties meet compliance requirements.
The power outages have affected various areas, including Willowton Industrial Area, Mkondeni, Copesville, and the 1 Knoll area. The municipality is working to restore power and prevent future outages by replacing ageing infrastructure and addressing damage caused by contractors. The area's businesses and residents are affected by the unreliable supply, highlighting the need for a stable and efficient electricity infrastructure.
Key points
- Ageing electricity infrastructure and damage by earthworks contractors have caused power outages in Msunduzi.
- The municipality has invested over R80 million in the area's electricity infrastructure.
- Further circuits and ring circuits are planned to replace ageing infrastructure.
