Eskom fights illegal connections to save lives

As winter’s chill sets in and temperatures drop, Eskom takes proactive measures with the launch of its campaign, ‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives.’

The power utility reveals a concerning statistic: over 2000 transformers nationwide are struggling under the weight of illegal connections and tampering, leading to overloads and explosions.

“Extended periods without electricity in communities can result from this situation,” the utility emphasises in a statement issued on Thursday.

Eskom reveals R300 million expenditure on transformer replacements

Eskom discloses that in the last year alone, it has expended over R300 million replacing failed transformers and mini-substations, all without generating revenue for its efforts. This financial strain threatens its ability to fulfill its mandate of supplying quality electricity to its customers.

The campaign serves as a rallying call for electricity users to reduce their consumption, thereby alleviating strain on the power system and preventing associated injuries.

Additionally, Eskom issues a stern warning, linking several safety incidents and equipment failures directly to unlawful activities. These activities not only jeopardise lives but also disrupt the continuity of supply and inflict extensive damage on transformers and related infrastructure.

Illegal connections, network equipment theft, vandalism, meter bypasses, unauthorised network operations, purchasing electricity from illicit vendors, and indiscriminate electricity use are highlighted as significant burdens on network equipment.

Overloaded transformers can explode

“As the load increases, transformers can fail and explode, posing serious safety risks to unsuspecting members of the public, potentially resulting in injuries and fatalities,” Eskom underscores.

The aftermath of such failures, including prolonged replacements that can span from days to months, adds to the inconvenience experienced by customers.

Eskom urges the public to play their part in the ‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives’ campaign by abstaining from illegal connections and advocating for responsible energy practices. Doing so will not only safeguard lives and property but also uphold the reliability of the electrical infrastructure, ensuring a safer and more stable power supply for all.