Investigation underway following explosion at Aloes substation

A full investigation is underway following an explosion at Aloes substation, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Retief Odendaal announced.

The explosion led to an electricity blackout of surrounding areas within Motherwell including 15 Coega IDZ (Industrial Development Zone) customers.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality held an emergency JOC meeting, to trigger swift action to circumvent the impact of the explosion and get into the bottom of what might have caused it.

“Following the JOC meeting, a full independent investigation into the causes of the explosion has been launched as there is a suspicion of foul play. Today, the Municipality will be meeting the CDC and affected businesses to develop a solution that will mitigate adverse impact of the constrained electricity supply,” Odendaal said.

The damage to the substation infrastructure is estimated to be more than R40 million.