GEORGE NEWS - On top of load shedding - recently suspended by Eskom to the relief of all South Africans - Wilderness and Hoekwil residents have been experiencing frequent power interruptions in recent months. 

Kobus Wilken, acting director of Electrotechnical Services at George Municipality, told George Herald that this is due to challenges with supply, as well as lush vegetation in these areas.

Eskom substation
Wilken explained that the point of supply to these areas runs via an Eskom substation that feeds the George municipal circuit breakers. "From time to time, the breaker on the Eskom side trips and must be switched on by Eskom personnel only.

"The municipal electrotechnical teams do not have control in these instances. As a rule, the municipality installs lightning arresters at all points where cable networks change to overhead networks, and it installs overhead fuses and switches to localise faults to the immediate vicinity only."

Private property
He said the lush vegetation in the area, in combination with adverse weather conditions, often causes tripping as the bulk of the electrical reticulation in the Wilderness and Hoekwil area is by means of open or bare overhead conductors. 

"The Electrotechnical Services Directorate established a vegetation control section to attend to this, however most of the vegetation that causes the power interruptions is either protected, or located on private property where it is the responsibility of the owner of the property to provide vegetation control. We ask that property owners please address vegetation near overhead lines on a regular basis, at the same time appreciating that there are safety concerns.

"If you plan to cut or trim trees and vegetation or intend appointing a tree cutting service to do so, please check whether there are electrical overhead lines near where you intend cutting," said Wilken.

Monitoring
If there are electrical wires that may be affected or damaged by your planned cut, please contact Electrotechnical Services in advance so that an official from the department can investigate and monitor accordingly.

"Should officials consider the proposed cutting of a tree too dangerous, the municipal electrotechnical department will arrange for the electricity to be shut down and will cut down the tree. If there are trees or vegetation on municipal property that you think may damage or interfere with electrical lines, please report it to the department - provide your name, contact details and the location of the affected electrical lines." 

Wilken said the public's safety is important and asked their cooperation in this regard. Phone 044 801 9222 or 044 803 9222 during office hours or 044 801 6300 after-hours and for emergencies.

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