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Update on wide spread power outages following recent floods

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Electricity and Energy Directorate wishes to update residents on the significant impact the recent floods had on the Metro’s electricity supply. About 30% of services was disrupted, and in response, the electrical emergency preparedness plan was promptly activated, detailing critical actions to restore and maintain power whilst ensuring public and operational safety. Safety was highly prioritized to eradicate the risk of electrocution and safeguard electricity infrastructure.

The response measures implemented included:

  • Prioritising High and Medium-Voltage Restoration – Restoration efforts initially focused on high and medium-voltage areas, given their extensive coverage and importance to city-wide electricity needs.
  • Ensuring Network Safety and Managing De-Energisation – In areas where floodwaters posed ongoing safety risks, sections of the network were de- energized to protect the residents and personnel. These parts of the network were evaluated and where conditions allowed, essential repairs were initiated.
  • Addressing Low-Voltage Faults with Dedicated Low-Voltage Teams – Specialized low-voltage response teams were mobilized to address low voltage faults. Anticipating the potential for a rising number of low voltage issues due to water damage, teams worked proactively to manage and mitigate further disruptions. One of the main factors contributing to the widespread impact affecting roughly 90% of the electricity infrastructure was due to severe stormwater blockages. Flooded substations and compromised medium-voltage switchgear kiosks added to restoration challenges.

As of the 27th October 2024, significant progress was made in restoration efforts, with some residential portions of the remaining issues linked to underground cable faults. To expedite repairs, additional contractors and Eskom teams have been deployed to assist with fault location, excavations, and pole installations. Eskom’s Eastern Cape team also started work on-site to further support these operations. This repair and restoration work will continue overnight, with the aim of resolving widespread faults by 1st November 2024.

Some of the reported faults include, but are not limited to:

  • Underground Cable Faults – Water infiltration and flooding has led to extensive damage of underground cables, causing significant outages across multiple areas.
  • Substation Flooding – Major substations were affected by floodwaters, resulting in compromised equipment that required extensive drying, cleaning, and repairs.
  • Medium-Voltage (MV) Switchgear Damage – The flooding led to water entering medium voltage switchgear kiosks, causing malfunctions that pose safety risks and due to this, we had to immediately de-energise and repair.
  • Pole and Overhead Line Damage – Floodwaters and debris have weakened and dislodged poles, resulting in damaged overhead lines and loss of electricity supply in certain regions.
  • Transformer Damage – Some transformers sustained water damage, impacting their operation and requiring assessment for either repair or replacement.
  • Faulty Circuit Breakers and Protective Devices – Persistent moisture exposure has caused some circuit breakers and protective devices to trip or malfunction, leading to localized outages.
  • Low-Voltage (residential) Cable Issues – Increased low-voltage faults have been reported, particularly in areas with severe flooding, where cables have been damaged or require insulation restoration.
  • Street Light Outages – Widespread street light outages have been reported due to damage in supporting circuits and distribution systems.

These issues are being addressed in order of priority, with a focus on restoring critical infrastructure first, followed by localized and low-voltage (residential) faults.

Many wide-spread outages that have affected the Metro during the course of this week have been resolved and power supply has been restored.

Unfortunately, part of the streets in the following areas are still off however, teams are working diligently to restore power to these areas as soon as possible:

  • Kariega
  • ?Parts of Humewood
  • ?Parts of Swartkops
  • ?Khayelitsha in KwaNobuhle
  • ?Rosedale
  • ?Kamesh Spar
  • ?KwaZakhele
  • ?Algoa Park
  • ?Parts of Forrest Hill
  • ?Arcadia, Bloemendal
  • Sanctor
  • Salsoneville

Whilst we are doing our best to restore supply to all areas, it must be noted that underground cable faults will take longer to repair due flooded areas, hard surfaces and excavation work required.

We thank residents for their ongoing patience and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.

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NMB Communications

Media Communications at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Communications Department is responsible for communicating pertinent Municipal news from Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch. Municipality Contact Details. See more articles by NMB Communication's.