On Sunday, 22rd March 2015, at approximately 03:00am, the Eskom electricity supply to the towns of Hermanus, Stanford, Gansbaai and Hawston was interrupted.  This was due to the raging veld fires that damaged Eskom 66kV overhead power lines. 

Due to raging fires, strong winds, choking smoke and fire brigade activities,  Eskom technical staff could not imme-diately access the area. When the area was safe and the fire contained our technical staff immediately started with all the necessary reconstruction of the burnt structures. We used additional Eskom construction teams and contractors to rebuild the burnt structures enabling restoration to the affected areas.  

After 12 hours of gruelling construction the power to the affected areas was restored at different times, 20:20 for Hawston and Vermont and 21:45 for Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai.  Under normal circumstances it would have taken up to 6 days to source the materials, assemble and reconstruct the structures.

Throughout the day and during construction the fires kept flaring making the working conditions extremely difficult for our teams.

Eskom would like to thank the communities for the positive manner in which they have responded and supported out teams throughout the day.

MEDIA STATEMENT: Eskom Corporate Affairs Divisions

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