FORDSBURG SUBSTATION ISOLATED FOLLOWING SMOKE DETECTED IN UNDERGROUND TUNNELS

City Power is responding to a major electricity supply interruption affecting several parts of Johannesburg following the isolation of Fordsburg Substation at approximately 17h00 today.

The substation was isolated as a safety precaution after smoke was detected coming from the underground cable tunnels, to protect personnel and the electricity network while the source is investigated.
The impact of the isolation has extended across the interconnected network, affecting several substations and switching stations supplied through the Reuven, Lenasia and Hursthill Service Delivery Centres (SDCs).

Johnware Substation, Nancefield, Mayfair Substation, Pennyville Substation, Orlando Switching Station and Eikenhof Substation, Eldorado Park, Nirvana, Soweto Local, Industria, Bree Substation, and Braamfontein are currently off, resulting in a widespread interruption affecting residential areas, businesses and essential services.

Emergency Management Services (EMS) is currently on site assessing the source of the smoke and conditions inside the tunnels. City Power operators and protection teams are also on site assessing the network. Once the area has been declared safe, teams will access the tunnels to determine the condition of the electricity infrastructure and the work required.

The following SDCs and areas are affected:
Reuven SDC:
Kibler Park, Chrisville, Mayfield Park, Mondeor, Naturena, Eikenhof, Robertsham, Alveda Park, Ormonde, Comptonville, Meredale and surrounding areas.
Lenasia SDC:
Eldorado Park, New Eldorado Park, Nancefield, Nirvana, Soweto and surrounding areas supplied through the Nancefield, New Eldorado Park, Nirvana and Soweto substations

Hursthill SDC:
Brixton East, Riverlea, Crosby, Mayfair, Langlaagte and surrounding areas.

Of particular concern is the impact on Rand Water, which is currently unable to pump as a result of the electricity interruption. Rand Water is a critical bulk water service provider and its pumping infrastructure depends on electricity supply to move water through the system. The loss of supply therefore has implications beyond the electricity network and may affect water supply operations if pumping remains interrupted for an extended period.

City Power recognises the importance of Rand Water’s operations and the broader impact that a prolonged interruption to pumping may have on water supply. The assessment of the affected network will therefore take into account critical services as teams determine how the system can be safely re-energised.

Given the extent of the interruption and the need to establish the source of the smoke and the condition of the affected infrastructure, electricity supply is not expected to be restored today. An estimated restoration time will be communicated once the assessments have been completed and the scope of work is known.

Customers are urged to treat all electricity infrastructure as live at all times and to unplug sensitive appliances during the outage. Once restoration begins, customers should switch appliances back on gradually to avoid placing additional pressure on the network.
Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses and more information becomes available.