Staged Power Return Underway as Frikkie Substation Upgrade Nears Completion in Merafong City Local Municipality

Residents of Welverdiend, Elijah Barayi and Khutsong Extension 5 have begun to see electricity returning following a multi-step restoration process at the Frikkie Substation. The upgrade, centred on the installation and commissioning of a new transformer, has progressed through key technical phases, though some challenges remain and not all areas are back online simultaneously.

Transformer Arrival and Commissioning Progress

The new transformer arrived on site at the Frikkie van der Merwe Substation on 1 August 2025, marking a crucial step toward restoring supply to the affected communities. Cold commissioning tests were completed successfully on 2 August, and the project moved into hot commissioning, during which the transformer is energised to verify full operational capacity under load.

Staged Restoration and Technical Caution

As part of a controlled reconnect plan, electricity was reintroduced to certain sections in a staged manner beginning 3 August. Officials have emphasised that not all areas would receive power at once; this phased approach is intended to stabilise the network and avoid overload. During the process, a technical issue with a smaller component, a Current Transformer (CT) on one phase, was identified, triggering automatic protective shutdowns in affected parts. That necessitated brief interruptions while technicians and suppliers worked to ensure safe integration and prevent damage.

Resident Actions Requested

Residents are again asked to switch off all non-essential electrical appliances (such as stoves, kettles, geysers, and heaters) while the staged energisation continues. This precaution helps avoid surges or overloading as additional sections are brought online and supports smoother, safer synchronization of the newly integrated transformer with the municipal grid.

Appreciation and Ongoing Commitment

The municipality has thanked the community for its continued patience and understanding. Leadership reiterates its commitment to completing the restoration safely and efficiently, with technical teams remaining on-site to monitor performance and address residual issues.

Final Note:

At the time of publishing, partial power restoration is observable in some areas, but no official confirmation has been received about full, stable reconnection across all affected communities.

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